What is the primary purpose of the APGAR score?

The primary purpose of the APGAR score is to quickly assess the health of a newborn immediately after birth. This assessment is crucial as it allows healthcare providers to determine whether a newborn requires immediate medical intervention. The APGAR score evaluates five criteria: appearance (skin color), pulse (heart rate), grimace response (reflexes), activity (muscle tone), and respiration (breathing effort). Each criterion is scored from zero to two, with a maximum total score of ten. This rapid assessment helps identify newborns who may be in distress, ensuring prompt care and improving outcomes.

Other options, such as measuring a baby's weight or establishing gestational age, do not fall under the scope of the APGAR score. The APGAR is specifically focused on immediate post-delivery factors influencing a newborn's health status rather than considerations related to maternal health.