AEMCA Practice Exam

When should an APGAR score be completed?

1. At birth and 1 hour after

2. 1 minute and 5 minutes post delivery

3. Only if complications arise

4. At 5 minutes and 15 minutes post delivery

The correct answer is: 1 minute and 5 minutes post delivery

The APGAR score is a quick assessment method used to evaluate a newborn's physical condition immediately after birth. The scoring occurs at 1 minute and 5 minutes post delivery, providing crucial information about the infant's well-being. At 1 minute, the score helps determine how well the baby tolerated the birthing process, while the score at 5 minutes is an indicator of how well the baby is doing outside the womb and assesses the effectiveness of resuscitation efforts if needed. These timeframes are critical because they allow healthcare providers to make timely decisions regarding interventions if the scores suggest that the infant is in distress. Evaluating a newborn only if complications arise or at different intervals, such as 1 hour or 15 minutes, does not align with the standard protocol, which prioritizes immediate assessments to ensure the infant's safety and health right after delivery.