Final answer:
The inhaled anesthetic known for causing respiratory irritation such as coughing and breath holding is Desflurane. While modern anesthetics are generally safer and less flammable, Desflurane stands out for these particular side effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
The inhaled anesthetic associated with lung irritation, coughing, and breath holding is Desflurane. This substance is known for causing respiratory irritation, which can lead to these adverse effects.
In the history of anesthesia, different compounds such as diethyl ether were initially used; however, due to their high flammability and undesirable side effects like nausea, they were replaced by halogen-containing anesthetics such as halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane. These modern anesthetics are less flammable and generally considered to have fewer undesirable side effects. Although safer, concerns about long-term exposure have been raised, especially in the case of operating room personnel.
Desflurane, though less flammable than earlier anesthetics, is specifically known for causing respiratory side effects, which are less commonly associated with other agents like sevoflurane, isoflurane, or nitrous oxide that are widely used in clinical practice today.