A patient complains of paroxysmal episodes of not being able to catch her breath. When no abnormalities are detected with conventional pulmonary function screening, the pulmonologist orders a methacholine challenge test. Which of the following will increase as a result of stimulating cholinergic receptors on the bronchial smooth muscle?
a. Airway diameter
b. Anatomic dead space
c. Compliance of the lungs
d. Elastic work of breathing
e. Resistive work of breathing