In a Sedated, Mechanically Ventilated Patient, Inspiratory Tidal Volumes Are

Multiple Choice

In a sedated, mechanically ventilated patient, inspiratory tidal volumes are consistently larger than expiratory tidal volumes. If it is assumed that there is no leak in the circuit, which of the following provides the best explanation for this discrepancy?

A) Ventilator malfunction
B) The compressibility factor of the ventilator circuit
C) An increase in airway resistance that causes air trapping
D) Different pressure profiles