Which aspect is evaluated during the APGAR Score?

The APGAR score is a quick assessment used to evaluate the physical condition of a newborn immediately after birth. It assesses five criteria: appearance (skin color), pulse (heart rate), grimace response (reflexes), activity (muscle tone), and respiration (breathing effort). Specifically, heart rate is one of the critical components measured during this evaluation.

Looking at the other options, pain perception and body temperature are not components of the APGAR score assessment. While monitoring a newborn's body temperature is important in clinical practice, it does not factor into the total score calculated in the APGAR evaluation. Pain perception may be assessed in other contexts or assessments, but it is not part of the APGAR criteria. Therefore, focusing on heart rate provides a crucial indication of a newborn’s immediate adaptation to life outside the womb, making it an essential focus during the APGAR scoring process.