What would NOT increase if the inspiratory flow is increased on a time-cycled ventilator with no pressure limit?

When the inspiratory flow is increased on a time-cycled ventilator with no pressure limit, total rate would not increase. This is because the total rate on a ventilator is determined by the frequency of breaths delivered within a certain time period, typically expressed in breaths per minute. While increasing inspiratory flow affects the dynamics of each breath—such as potentially increasing tidal volume and affecting expiratory time—it does not inherently alter the set frequency of breaths being delivered.

Increased inspiratory flow usually leads to faster delivery of each breath, which may shorten the time spent in expiration if the inspiratory time is fixed; however, it does not change the established respiratory rate. Therefore, while tidal volume may increase due to a higher flow delivering more gas in the given inspiratory time, and the inspiratory pressure would rise if the resistances increase, both happen without the total rate changing.