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; performed at 0 and 5 minutes
• C. Temperature, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration; performed at 1 and 5 minutes
• D. Appearance, Pulse, Respiration, Grimace, Activity; performed at 2 and 5 minutes

Answer: (C)

APGAR scoring quickly assesses how well a newborn is adapting after birth by five criteria: Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex irritability), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing effort). Each criterion is scored 0, 1, or 2, giving a total that can range from 0 to 10. The assessment is done at 1 minute after birth and again at 5 minutes to gauge the baby’s transition; a 10-minute check may be added if the 5-minute score is low or resuscitation is ongoing. Temperature is not part of APGAR; the factors used are appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration.