An Apgar score of 4 at 1 minute most accurately indicates which level of depression?

• A. Normal infant
• B. No depression
• C. Moderate depression
• D. Severe depression

Answer: (C)

Understanding Apgar scoring and what a low score means helps interpret this result. The Apgar score assesses how well a newborn is adapting to life outside the uterus, using five domains—heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color—each 0 to 2, for a total of 0 to 10. A higher score indicates better adaptation. Typically, 7–10 at 1 minute is normal with no depression; 4–6 indicates moderate depression, showing noticeable distress that usually responds to supportive care; 0–3 signals severe depression requiring immediate, often aggressive, resuscitation. So a score of 4 at 1 minute falls in the moderate depression range, with improvement expected as interventions take effect and more time is allowed to reassess, often by the 5-minute mark.