• Breathing effort
• Heart rate
• Muscle tone
• Reflexes
• Skin color

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Each category is scored with 0, 1, or 2, depending on the observed condition.

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Breathing effort:

•  If the infant is not breathing, the respiratory score is 0.
•  If the respirations are slow or irregular, the infant scores 1 for respiratory effort.
•  If the infant cries well, the respiratory score is 2.
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Heart rate is evaluated by stethoscope. This is the most important assessment: 

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•  If there is no heartbeat, the infant scores 0 for heart rate.
•  If the heart rte is less than 100 beats per minute, the infant scores 1 for heart rate.
•  If heart rate is greater than 100 beatsper minute, the infant scores 2 for heart rate.

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Muscle tone:

•  If muscles are loose nd floppy, the infant scores 0 for muscle tone.
•  If there is some muscle tone, the infant scores 1.
•  If there is active motion, the infant scores 2 for muscle tone.  
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Grimace response or reflex irritability is a term describing response to stimulation such as a mild pinch:

•  if there is no reaction, the infant scores 0 for reflex irritability.
•  If there is no grimacing, the infant scores 1 for reflex irritability.
•  If there is grimacing and a cough, sneeze, or vigorous cry, the infant scores 2 for reflex irritability.

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Skin color:

•  if the skin color is pale blue, the infant scores 0 for color.
•  If the body is pink and the extremities are blue, the infant scores 1 for color.
•  If the entire body is pink, the infant scores 2 for color.