Final answer:
Increased resistance in the lungs is detected by measuring air pressure differences using negative or positive pressure application and observing water movement within a device. Significant changes in pressure could indicate stiff and less pliable lungs, necessitating further examination and possible reporting to a healthcare provider.
Step-by-step explanation:
Increased resistance in a patient's lungs can be detected by a doctor using a variety of methods, one common approach is to measure the air pressure differences and observe the patient's response to these changes. When negative pressure is applied to the left side of a measurement device, it lowers the upward pressure (Up), causing water to move towards the left side of the tube. Conversely, applying positive pressure increases Up, driving water to the right. A significant change in this pressure ratio indicates that the lungs may be stiff and less pliable, a situation often accompanied by increased resistance.
This could manifest during patient evaluation as difficulty in breathing or abnormal lung sounds. Moreover, during a blood pressure measurement, a clinician may also observe for Korotkoff sounds which, along with other signs, could suggest altered pulmonary dynamics. If repeated resistance is observed in the patient's breathing, turning the patient onto their left side may alleviate some difficulties, but ongoing resistance should be reported to a healthcare provider immediately.