It is normal for infants to breathe irregularly. Often, brief periods of apnea are present. Infants should breathe between 30 and 60 times per minute. For this purpose, noting the finding as a vital sign in the patient's chart is the correct action. No further intervention is necessary in response to a normal assessment.

The question describes the rooting reflex. The Moro reflex is shown when an infant is startled and/or feels loss of support as if he/she is falling. He/she will extend the arms above the body in a curved shape. The Babinski reflex occurs in response to stimulation of the sole of the foot. Typically, the large toe will extend or remain extended as the others move. Infants may also exhibit plantar grasp with application of pressure to the foot. In plantar grasp, the toes will flex inward. Infants displaying palmar grasp will close their fingers around an object placed in their hand.

Hard or firm stools are abnormal for an infant on their third day of life. Typically, infants will have meconium (dark, sticky) stools for the first several days as a result of amniotic fluid ingestion. Over the next couple days they will transition to a seedy yellow (breastfed infants) or peanut butter consistency (formula-fed infants). Acrocyanosis, blue color on the extremities, is normal in infants. Mottling is also common. Infants have a developing cardiovascular system and many capillaries that exist close to the surface of the skin. Milia are normal white spots that frequent the faces of newborns. It is important not to pick or scratch these white spots to prevent scarring. Infants are also frequently born with fine hair called lanugo covering the body's surfaces. Some babies may be born with more lanugo than others.

Hyperpigmented nevi have been previously called "Mongolian spots". They occur most commonly in dark skinned children and fade as the child ages. They are often mistaken for bruises. Sturge-Weber syndrome is a neurological disorder which is present at birth and associated with port-wine stain birthmarks.

Examine the eardrum of infants and toddlers by pulling down on the ear lobe. Examine the eardrum of an older child by pulling up on the outer pinna. Additional help from colleagues or caregivers may be necessary when examining small or upset children.

Rubeola is caused by the measles virus and is extremely contagious. Airborne precautions must be used when measles are suspected. Patients who are affected by measles may exhibit a high fever, cough, conjunctivitis and a rash among many other symptoms. Contraction of measles may be prevented by administration of MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) through vaccination. Human herpesvirus include a family of related viruses of which varicella/zoster virus (causes chicken pox and shingles) is a member. Parvovirus B19 may cause fifth disease, among other conditions. Coxsackievirus A16 causes hand food mouth disease.

Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. It is a vector-borne disease that is contracted secondary to the bite of an infected tick. Administration of antibiotics is crucial to recovery. Standard precautions are adequate. Restricting fluids, diet, or activity is not necessary. 

Constipation is a common complaint in children. Encopresis occurs when children are incontinent of fecal matter after toilet training. Often, a child will leak stool surrounding a large fecal mass that has hardened in the rectum. Giving a child an enema may help to clear the mass and restore bowel function. Constipation should be avoided through exercise, high-fiber diet, and adequate liquid ingestion.

Tenderness over McBurney's point (one-third the distance from the anterior superior iliac spine to the navel) may indicate appendicitis. This should be treated as a surgical emergency and the child should be taken to the emergency room. Other symptoms of appendicitis include nausea, vomiting, fever, and frequent soft stools.

All of the above are viral illnesses commonly found in children. Rubella may be referred to as "german measles" and is spread through droplets. The disease is generally mild, presenting with a rash that typically lasts around three days. Maternal rubella may spread to the fetus and cause severe complications.

Rubeola, also known as measles, is highly contagious and is caused by the measles virus. Chicken pox is caused by the herpes zoster (varicella) virus. Hand foot mouth disease is a viral disease caused by coxsackievirus A16. Fifth disease is caused by parvovirus B19 and presents with bright red rashes on the cheeks and other parts of the body.