Maternal & Newborn Nursing Videos

APGAR Score Made Simple

If you’re preparing for the NCLEX, the APGAR score is a must-know topic. It’s one of the most frequently tested newborn assessments on the exam — but more importantly, it’s a tool that could make all the difference in those first critical minutes of life as a nurse. In this video, we’ll break down the APGAR score step by step so you can walk into the NCLEX feeling confident and be ready to apply it at the bedside. What You’ll Learn in This Video: ✅ The purpose of the APGAR score and why it’s so important ✅ When to assess: 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth (and beyond if needed) ✅ The meaning behind each letter in A-P-G-A-R A – Appearance (skin color) P – Pulse (heart rate) G – Grimace (reflex irritability) A – Activity (muscle tone) R – Respiration (breathing effort & cry) ✅ How to score each category (0, 1, or 2 points) ✅ Common NCLEX “trick” questions (like acrocyanosis) ✅ Two full NCLEX-style practice scenarios with scoring walkthroughs ✅ Critical safety points: when to act immediately, limits of the APGAR, and what a score really means ✅ What to do next based on the score: 7–10 → Routine care 4–6 → Provide support and close monitoring 0–3 → Emergency resuscitation We’ll also highlight a powerful truth: the APGAR score isn’t just a number. It’s a language of patient safety and advocacy — a way to quickly communicate a newborn’s condition and ensure they get the care they need right now. 🎯 NCLEX Tip: Always remember, if the newborn isn’t breathing, you don’t wait for the one-minute score — you act immediately.