A 49-kg female patient intubated with a size 7 mm inner diam…

A 49-kg female patient intubated with a size 7 mm inner diameter (ID) endotracheal tube is being mechanically ventilated in the volume-controlled continuous mandatory ventilation (VC-CMV) mode. During patient rounds, both the low-pressure and low-volume alarms are sounding persistently on the ventilator. Upon observation of the patient, the respiratory therapist hears murmuring from the patient, with audible sounds during inspiration. The cause of this condition is which of the following?