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Difficulty: EasyAnte/Intra/Postpartum and Newborn Care

A nurse is performing an initial assessment on a neonate exactly 1 minute after birth. The neonate presents with a heart rate of 142 beats per minute, a vigorous cry, active spontaneous movement of all extremities, a strong cough and sneeze during nasal suctioning, and a completely pink trunk with blue hands and feet. Calculate the neonate's 1-minute Apgar score.

Answer: 9

Answer

9
The Apgar score consists of five parameters evaluated at 1 and 5 minutes of life, each scored from 0 to 2. A heart rate over 100 beats per minute (2 points), a strong respiratory effort or cry (2 points), active muscle tone (2 points), vigorous reflex irritability (2 points), and acrocyanosis (1 point) yield a total score of 9.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate the neonate's pulse (Heart Rate).
2 points
A heart rate of 142 beats per minute is greater than 100 beats per minute, earning the maximum score for this category.
2
Evaluate the neonate's respiratory effort.
2 points
A vigorous cry indicates excellent respiratory effort, warranting full points.
3
Evaluate the neonate's activity (Muscle Tone).
2 points
Active spontaneous movement of all extremities demonstrates optimal muscle tone.
4
Evaluate the neonate's grimace (Reflex Irritability).
2 points
A strong cough and sneeze in response to stimulation (nasal suctioning) is a normal, robust reflex response.
5
Evaluate the neonate's appearance (Color).
1 point
A completely pink trunk with blue hands and feet describes acrocyanosis, which is a normal finding but only receives a partial score. A score of 2 requires the entire body to be pink.
6
Sum the individual component scores to determine the final Apgar score.
9
Adding the components together (2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1) provides the comprehensive 1-minute assessment value.

Key Concept

Apgar scoring system for newborn assessment
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Topics

Ante/Intra/Postpartum and Newborn Care

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