Final answer:
The physiological effects of adding an inflation hold to mandatory breaths include decreased PaCO2, increased inspiratory time, and decreased VD/VT ratio.
Step-by-step explanation:
The physiological effects of adding a volume-limited inflation hold to mandatory breaths would likely be:
- Decreased PaCO2 - Holding a breath allows for additional time for gas exchange, facilitating the removal of CO2 from the bloodstream.
- Increased inspiratory time - The hold increases the duration of the inspiratory phase of ventilation.
- Decreased VD/VT (dead space to tidal volume ratio) - An inflation hold can improve the efficiency of ventilation by allowing more time for alveolar gas exchange.
- Longer expiratory times should not necessarily be a result of an inflation hold. While the inspiratory phase is prolonged, this does not inherently extend the expiratory phase.
Hence, the correct answer to the student's question is d. I, II, and III.