Final answer:
Desflurane is the common inhalant anesthetic agent that is highly irritating to mucous membranes, causing respiratory irritation and breath-holding during anesthesia induction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The common inhalant anesthetic agent that is irritating to mucous membranes and causes patients to hold their breath is desflurane. It shares a similar mechanism to blister agents in that the compounds are acids or acid-forming. This action is more pronounced in the respiratory system, which can result in suffocation. Survivors of inhalation often suffer from chronic breathing problems.
While many compounds have been used for inhalation anesthesia, desflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane are the most widely used volatile anesthetics today. Desflurane, in particular, is known for its pungency and can cause respiratory irritation, leading to coughing or breath-holding during the induction of anesthesia.