North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam 2026 - Free EMT Practice Questions and Study Guide

In the APGAR scoring system, respiratory effort is assessed as part of a quick evaluation of a newborn's health immediately after birth. The scoring range for respiratory effort includes three categories: no respiratory effort, weak or irregular breathing, and strong, lusty crying.

A strong, lusty cry indicates that the newborn is experiencing good respiratory effort, which is a sign of proper lung function and effective oxygenation. Scoring a 2 in this category reflects the presence of that strong cry, showcasing effective respiratory transition from fetal to neonatal life. This high score is crucial because a strong cry is associated with adequate airway clearance and indicates that the newborn is likely breathing normally on their own.

In contrast, the other scores reflect less effective breathing: a score of 0 indicates no effort, while a score of 1 suggests only a weak effort or irregular breathing. Therefore, scoring a 2 for a strong, lusty cry directly correlates to optimal respiratory function in the newborn.