What is the purpose of the Apgar score?

The purpose of the Apgar score is to assess the health of a newborn immediately after birth. This score is a quick and systematic way to evaluate the infant's physical condition and determine if any immediate medical intervention is necessary. The Apgar score is calculated based on five criteria: heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex response, and skin color. Each category receives a score from 0 to 2, with the total score ranging from 0 to 10.

A high Apgar score indicates that the newborn is in good health and doesn't require immediate medical attention, while a low score may prompt further medical evaluation and intervention to ensure the baby's well-being. This evaluation typically occurs at one minute and again at five minutes after delivery.

Other options focus on different aspects of maternal and newborn care, but they do not pertain to the immediate assessment of a newborn's health right after birth, which is the primary purpose of the Apgar scoring system.