Final answer:
c. pressure-controlled intermittent mandatory ventilation. Pressure-controlled intermittent mandatory ventilation would result in the highest mean airway pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mode of ventilatory support that would result in the highest mean airway pressure is pressure-controlled intermittent mandatory ventilation (option c).
In pressure-controlled intermittent mandatory ventilation, the ventilator controls the pressure delivered during each breath. It delivers preset pressure at a preset rate, and the patient can trigger additional breaths as needed. This mode ensures a consistent and high mean airway pressure, which is beneficial for certain conditions, like acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
By contrast, volume-controlled intermittent mandatory ventilation (option a), volume-controlled continuous mandatory ventilation (option d), and a combination of volume-controlled intermittent mandatory ventilation and pressure-supported ventilation (option b) do not provide as high a mean airway pressure as pressure-controlled intermittent mandatory ventilation.