APGAR score includes which five criteria and when is it performed?

• A. Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration; performed at 1 and 5 Minutes
• B. Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration; performed at 0 and 5 Minutes
• C. Color, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration; performed at 1 and 5 Minutes
• D. Appearance, Heart Rate, Grimace, Activity, Respiration; performed at 2 and 5 Minutes

Answer: (A)

APGAR scoring is a quick snapshot of how well a newborn has transitioned after birth. It uses five domains to gauge immediate physiology: Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex irritability to stimulation), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing effort). Each domain is scored 0, 1, or 2, giving a total from 0 to 10. The assessment is performed at one minute after birth and then again at five minutes to detect early changes and guide any needed immediate care. This timing and the five criteria described match the standard APGAR method.