A preterm baby is born in a small community hospital that lacks assessment tools. Given this, which measure of a newborn's physical status could most readily be used by the health care providers to decide whether this infant needs to be sent to a major medical center?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Apgar test is a quick, simple test performed on a baby at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. The test measures the baby's heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflex response, and color. This test determines how well the baby tolerated the birthing process and how well the baby is doing outside the mother's womb. It is widely used and does not require specialized tools, making it ideal for use in a small community hospital to assess whether a newborn needs more advanced care at a major medical center.

A Preterm Baby Is Born in a Small Community Hospital