Introduction: Lightning strikes can harm an individual in many ways and can cause a variety of injuries, even lethal. Incidences of lightning strikes varies throughout the world and depends mostly on the climate. Although mortality due to lightning stroke is low, its effects can be long-lasting and can significantly affect a person's life. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma thesis is to present treatment of patients who survived a lightning strike. The aim is to present different types of bodily injuries due to lightning strikes and to focus on the nurse’s part in the treatment of aforementioned patients. Methods: Descriptive method was used with an overview of technical literature and scientific researches found in the databases CINAHL, Medline, Science Direct and Academic Search Complete. Search of the literature was made with the help of key words: lightning strike, lightning strike injury, lightning strike protection, first aid, treatment and nurse. The results: Lightning strike in an injured person causes different organ and organ system trauma; it especially affects the cardiovascular system, skin, nervous system, kidneys, muscle-skeleton system, eyes, ears and respiratory system. A lightning strike can cause life threatening changes in the heart rate that requires appropriate measures on the field already. Burns are common and lightning strike causes typical Lichenberg appearance. The electric current causes significant damage to the nervous system. The key is timely and appropriate medical aid and emergency medical assistance on the field and further support and hospital treatment. Discussion and conclusion: After a lightning strike, multidisciplinary treatment is required. Due to the possibility of developing changes in heart rate and other life-threatening trauma, injured persons should be accepted to the hospital. Hospitalisation in the intensive care unit is often necessary; here, the nurse plays an important role in taking care of the patient's physiological and psychological needs. The nurse should keep in mind the patient’s relatives and should connect with other health care workers who aid in quality and safe medical treatment and fast rehabilitation. The protocol for treating injured patients due to lightning strike needs to be established.
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