Case Study Regarding Asthma Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Case Study Regarding Asthma - Essay Example Asthma affects 300 million people worldwide with increasing prevalence among children. According to World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 15 million disability-adjusted life-years are lost and 250,000 asthma deaths are reported worldwide with 500, 000 annual hospitalizations in individuals 18 years old and younger (Harver& Kotses, 2010, 19). In order to understand the pathophysiology of asthma, one must first understand the normal physiological process of a normal airway, particularly air exchange in the lungs. Lungs primary function is to deliver oxygen into the bloodstream and remove carbon dioxide from the blood. In the lungs are small air sacs called alveoli where an exchange of gases occur (Harver& Kotses, 2010, 19)? The bronchioles, which are classified as smaller tubes are very fragile compared to the larger tubes of the respiratory system such as the trachea as these smaller tubes lack cartilaginous rings and only have a layer of smooth muscle. As the muscle contracts, airways are extremely narrowed due to the lack of cartilaginous support. Thus, contraction of the smooth muscles in the lungs may increase airway resistance and diminish airflow (Harver& Kotses, 2010, 19). In addition, there are cells that line the respiratory tract called the respiratory epithelium which varies from hair-like structure cilia and mucus-producing cells, and small blood vessels lying beneath the airway that supplies nutrients to the respiratory epithelium and smooth muscle cells. Asthma is generally categorized as an inflammatory disease in response to triggering stimuli such as allergens, irritants, colds, exercise, and respiratory infections (Harver&Kotses, 2010, 20). Based on Jason’s history, possible triggering stimuli of asthma exacerbation are the history of a recurrent cough when he was 6 months old, family history of hay fever and eczema.

American Politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

American Politics - Essay Example Finally, bureaucracy refers to the characteristics which exist in the organization like inflexibility or red tape. During the 1930s Max Weber illustrated bureaucracy as the ideal method of managing government departments and agencies. Max Weber outlined five major principles which guide bureaucracy in an effective and efficient manner. The principles are; formal hierarchical structure, management by rules, specialization, purposely impersonal and competency based employment (Ehrenreich, 1999). Max Weber favors an official hierarchical structure. Each level of the organization controls the sublevels below it. Likewise, the organizational level is controlled by the level above it. This formal hierarchy is responsible for the centralized decision making in organizations. Management through rules ensures that organizational decisions made at the top levels are implemented consistently at lower organizational levels. Max Weber also illustrates specialization and division of labor as one of the principles. Staffs are divided into units, according to the competencies they possess, or the type of work. Purposely impersonal principle ensures that all organizational stakeholders are treated equally. For example, provision of goods or service of the same quality and quantity to all the customers, for equal value. The bureaucracy also ensures that people are employed according to the skills they possess (Woods, 1998). These five principles ensure effective and efficient service delivery in the bureaucracy. The official hierarchical structure ensures smooth decision making process in the organization. The top management is responsible for making strategic decisions, which is then communicated downwards for implementation. Management by rules ensures that all staffs work according to the planning objectives. Specialization increases the quality of service offered because, employees offer services only in the areas they have enough competencies in.