Question

● Describe the physical presentation of a newborn who has an Apgar score of 8.

● Describe the physical presentation of a newborn who has an Apgar score of 6.

● Describe the physical presentation of a newborn who has an Apgar score of 4.

● Describe the physical presentation of a newborn who has an Apgar score of 2.

SCENARIO

You are caring for a mother who just delivered, and you are responsible for assessing the newborn’s Apgar score based on the information below.

• Determine the 1-minute and 5-minute Apgar scores.
• What nursing actions and documentation must be performed in relation to caring for the newborn based on the Apgar scores?
• What emotional support should the nurse provide to the parents for a newborn in distress?

Answer 1

Sign	0	1	2
Heart rate	none	less than 100/min	more than 100/min
Respiratory rate	none	Hyperventilation Weak cry	Strong cry
Muscle tone	limps arm and leg, none	extrimities shows some flexion	Excellent flexion
Reflex irritability	no facial or verbal expression to aspiration	grimace	cough with stimulation
Colour	pale blue	trunk pink, extremities blue	trunk and extremities pink

If the apgar score is less than 8 respiratory stimulation should be given. Inform the pediatrician if the 5 minute agar score is less than 7.

The mother should be given emotional support and tell her the baby will improve and no need to worry. All the medication should be given to newborn as well as the mother Continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature should be done. Give the mother and new born tender loving care.