Pleurisy refers to inflammation affecting which part of the body?

Pleurisy refers specifically to the inflammation of the pleura, which are the membranes surrounding the lungs and lining the chest cavity. When these membranes become inflamed, it can cause sharp chest pain that worsens during breathing or coughing. The pleura has two layers: the visceral pleura, which covers the lungs, and the parietal pleura, which lines the chest wall.

This condition is typically associated with infections, autoimmune diseases, or other conditions that can irritate these membranes. Understanding pleurisy is important for those in nursing because it can significantly impact respiratory function and the patient's comfort. The other options do not relate to pleurisy, as inflammation in the heart would pertain to pericarditis, inflammation of the brain relates to encephalitis, and liver inflammation is referred to as hepatitis.