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Intermediate Technical In the Industry Vocabulary Test

APGAR score

Also written as: APGAR — Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration

A standardized assessment tool used to evaluate a newborn's physical condition immediately after birth.

Full Definition

The APGAR score is a quick test performed on a baby at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. It evaluates five criteria: Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex irritability), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing effort). Each criterion is scored from 0-2, with a total possible score of 10. This assessment helps medical staff determine if a newborn needs immediate medical attention or resuscitation.

Usage

Usage note: Always capitalize as APGAR when referring to the scoring system; 'Apgar' when referencing Dr. Virginia Apgar who developed it.

In Context

  • "The infant's APGAR score was 8 at one minute and 9 at five minutes, indicating good adaptation to extrauterine life." — Medical chart documentation
  • "Low APGAR scores may indicate the need for immediate neonatal resuscitation." — Clinical guideline

Also known as

Apgar assessment newborn assessment score

Don't confuse with

APGAR vs Apgar APGAR vs other neonatal scoring systems
antenatal steroids ← Back to glossary apnea of prematurity

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