Final answer:
Expiratory grunting in preterm infants is a sign of respiratory distress, not low body temperature. It indicates problems with lung function due to inadequate surfactant production, which in turn can cause the infant to need supplemental oxygen.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that expiratory grunting is more indicative of low body temperature, not respiratory distress, in a preterm infant is false. Expiratory grunting in preterm infants is typically a sign of respiratory distress, which can be due to inadequate lung surfactant and the resulting difficulty in keeping the alveoli open. It is a compensatory mechanism where the infant tries to increase the lung volume by closing the glottis at the end of expiration.
Premature infants may require supplemental oxygen because their lungs are not fully developed, and they might struggle to maintain adequate oxygen levels in their blood. In particular, if type II cells have not produced sufficient pulmonary surfactant, the baby may have difficulty inflating the lungs, leading to oxygenation problems.