Apgar Skills Competency Test
Test
1. A new nurse in the delivery room for newborn care asks
the senior nurse about the purpose of Apgar scoring. How
should the senior nurse reply?
A. “It is a good predictor of neurologic status in preterm
newborns.”
B. “It is necessary for deciding whether a
newborn needs resuscitation.”
C. “It is a tool to communicate the newborn’s general
status and response to resuscitation efforts.”
D. “It assists in identifying anomalies in a newborn.”
Rationale: The Apgar score is a quick assessment tool used to
indicate the newborn’s response to resuscitation and general
status. The Apgar score cannot be used to predict future
neurologic status because many newborns with low Apgar
scores at birth will function normally. A nurse or practitioner
should not wait for a 1-minute Apgar score to determine
whether the newborn needs resuscitation.
However, the Apgar score may be used to evaluate the
effectiveness of resuscitation interventions in assisting the
newborn through the transition period. The score should not
be used to assist in identifying anomalies, which should be
determined with physical examination and radiologic and
laboratory studies.
2. A newborn whose respirations are being assisted has a
weak cry. What should the nurse document as the Apgar
score for respiratory effort?
A. 0 for needing respiratory assistance
B. 1 for respiratory effort
C. 1.5 for crying effort
, D. 2 for crying effort
Test
1. A new nurse in the delivery room for newborn care asks
the senior nurse about the purpose of Apgar scoring. How
should the senior nurse reply?
A. “It is a good predictor of neurologic status in preterm
newborns.”
B. “It is necessary for deciding whether a
newborn needs resuscitation.”
C. “It is a tool to communicate the newborn’s general
status and response to resuscitation efforts.”
D. “It assists in identifying anomalies in a newborn.”
Rationale: The Apgar score is a quick assessment tool used to
indicate the newborn’s response to resuscitation and general
status. The Apgar score cannot be used to predict future
neurologic status because many newborns with low Apgar
scores at birth will function normally. A nurse or practitioner
should not wait for a 1-minute Apgar score to determine
whether the newborn needs resuscitation.
However, the Apgar score may be used to evaluate the
effectiveness of resuscitation interventions in assisting the
newborn through the transition period. The score should not
be used to assist in identifying anomalies, which should be
determined with physical examination and radiologic and
laboratory studies.
2. A newborn whose respirations are being assisted has a
weak cry. What should the nurse document as the Apgar
score for respiratory effort?
A. 0 for needing respiratory assistance
B. 1 for respiratory effort
C. 1.5 for crying effort
, D. 2 for crying effort
