Final answer:
A preterm infant who has difficulty with coordinated sucking and swallowing should receive gavage feedings. Newborn reflexes that support feeding may not be well-developed in preterm infants, necessitating alternative feeding methods to ensure adequate nutrition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The preterm infant who should receive gavage feedings instead of being given a bottle is one who d) Struggles with coordinated sucking and swallowing. In preterm infants, the necessary reflexes such as the sucking and swallowing reflexes may not be fully developed, which can prevent them from being able to feed from a bottle safely and effectively. Gavage feeding, where a tube is used to deliver milk directly into the stomach, is indicated in these cases to ensure the infant receives adequate nutrition while avoiding the risks associated with their inability to coordinate sucking and swallowing.
Newborn reflexes such as the rooting and sucking reflex are crucial for survival and indicate that the neonate's brain is developing normally. However, struggles with these reflexes can be particularly pronounced in preterm infants whose neurological development, including the maturation of the swallowing mechanism, may not be fully complete.
For example, the rooting reflex helps an infant locate the nipple and the sucking reflex allows them to feed right after birth, but if these are not well-coordinated, alternative methods like gavage feeding may be necessary. The infant's ability to take in sufficient fluids is also critical, since their renal system is still maturing and they produce very dilute urine, necessitating the need for adequate fluid intake through efficient feeding methods like gavage.