What is assessed by the APGAR score in newborns?

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $4.99 payment

Study for the UCF DEP2004 Developmental Psychology Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with explanations to prepare for your exam. Ensure success on test day!

The APGAR score is a quick test performed on a newborn baby at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. It assesses five criteria that reflect the infant's overall physical condition and how well they are adapting to life outside the womb.

The five components evaluated in the APGAR score are:

  1. Breathing (Respiration): This checks to see if the baby is breathing effectively.

  2. Heart rate: This assesses the baby’s heart rate to ensure it’s within a healthy range.

  3. Reflexes: This evaluates the baby's response to stimuli, which provides insight into their neurological function.

  4. Muscle tone: This looks at the baby's muscle activity and whether they are flexing their limbs.

  5. Skin color (Skin tone): This indicates the baby’s oxygenation and circulation; a color change can signal potential issues.

This score can help identify whether an immediate medical intervention is necessary and monitor the newborn’s transition to life after birth. The other options do not pertain to the specific and immediate health assessments provided by the APGAR score. Genetic disorders, height, weight, gender, feeding habits, sleeping patterns, growth rate, vision, hearing, and motor skills are assessed over time and are not included in this

More Multiple Choice Questions