Final answer:
The APGAR assessment is performed immediately after birth, evaluating the newborn's transition. Criteria such as skin color, heart rate, and muscle tone are scored. Scores of 8 or above are considered normal.
Step-by-step explanation:
The APGAR assessment is performed immediately after birth. It is a simple test that evaluates the newborn's transition from the uterus to the outside world. The assessment focuses on five criteria: appearance (skin color), pulse (heart rate), grimace (reflex), activity (muscle tone), and respiration. Each criterion is assigned a score of 0, 1, or 2, and the scores are added together to determine the APGAR score.
Typically, the APGAR assessment is done at 1 minute after birth and again at 5 minutes after birth. The 5-minute mark is considered important because any score lower than 7 at this time may indicate the need for medical assistance. A score below 5 indicates an emergency situation. Scores of 8 or above are considered normal.