A preterm neonate usually exhibits which of the following movement qualities?

The movement qualities exhibited by a preterm neonate are typically characterized by tremors and jitteriness. This is largely due to the neurological immaturity and underdevelopment of the central nervous system that these infants experience. Being preterm means that they have had less time to develop and integrate their motor functions in utero, where fetuses can practice and refine their movements.

Tremors and jitteriness in a preterm neonate can occur due to several factors, including the still-developing motor pathways and a general lack of muscle tone. These movements are often more pronounced in states of arousal or stress, reflecting the neonate's immature nervous system that struggles to properly regulate motor control and movement.

In contrast, fluid and coordinated movements are more typical of full-term infants, who have had the opportunity to develop their motor skills through movement experience. Slow and deliberate movements can indicate greater control and strength, also associated with more mature infants. Rigid and tense movements might suggest underlying conditions or stress response, which are not characteristic of the typical preterm infant's presentation. Thus, the presence of tremors and jitteriness is the defining movement quality for preterm neonates.