Effect of HCl on Acetic Acid Buffer Solution

In a laboratory experiment, a chemist is working with a buffer solution composed of acetic acid (CH₃COOH) and sodium acetate (CH₃COONa). The pH of the solution is measured to be 5.0. The dissociation constant (K_a) for acetic acid is approximately 1.76 x 10^-5. The chemist needs to determine how the addition of 0.1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) to this buffer solution affects the pH.

Which of the following statements accurately describes the effect of the addition of HCl to the buffer solution?