Final answer:
A nurse would describe a bursa as a cushion that reduces friction and allows smooth movement between bones and soft tissues, which, when inflamed, leads to bursitis, causing pain and limited movement. Treatments vary based on cause, including NSAIDs, corticosteroids, or antibiotics, with fluid drainage sometimes necessary for chronic cases.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse would likely explain to a patient with bursitis that a bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bones and soft tissues in the body, such as muscles, tendons, and skin. Its primary function is to reduce friction and allow for smooth movement when these tissues move over one another. When a bursa becomes inflamed, which is what occurs in bursitis, it can cause pain, swelling, and reduced movement in the affected joint.
Bursitis can be either acute or chronic, and its causes include muscle overuse, trauma, prolonged pressure, certain diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and gout, or an infection. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids are often used to reduce inflammation, and antibiotics are prescribed if the bursitis is due to an infection. In chronic cases, sometimes the fluid has to be drained, but surgery is rarely needed.