Introduction: Surgery remains the main diagnostic and therapeutic method for patients with non-small cell lung cancer, but it is also used in some other lung diseases such as pneumothorax, recurrent hemoptysis, and pleural empyema. Surgery is a curative treatment or procedure designed to improve survival. The nurse plays an important role in the care of patients with lung diseases. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma work is to present the role of the nurse in the care of patients with lung diseases in the preoperative period, during surgery and in the treatment in the early and late postoperative period. Methods: In the diploma work we used a descriptive method of work with a review of the literature. We used a time frame from 2012 to 2020. The literature was searched in English with key phrases: lung surgery AND nurse role, lung cancer AND rehabilitation, thoracic surgery AND recovery, in the MEDLINE and CINAHL databases, which were accessed via remote access of the Digital Library of the University of Ljubljana, and Science Direct. We included 28 articles in the analysis. We took into account the quality of articles according to the hierarchy of evidence in scientific research. Results: By implementing the education program of patients who need lung resection, we improve their psychological and physical well-being. Post-operative pulmonary complications are one of the leading causes of mortality in patients with lung disease. Patients face pain, depression and anxiety after surgery, which has a major impact on the patient's recovery after surgery. Additional pain may be caused by thoracic drainage, which is present in most patients in the early postoperative period. The role of the nurse is to early identify possible complications and take appropriate action, it also makes a very important contribution to pain management. Discussion and conclusion: In the preoperative period, the nurse's task is primarily to identify the patient's specific individual needs, and in the post-operative period, it is primarily aimed at relieving pain. By following the recommendations of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program, nurses can provide the best care for patients undergoing lung surgery. The nurse is an indispensable member of the medical team that cares for the patient, as her professional knowledge and competencies and nursing interventions according to the nursing standards significantly contribute to the comprehensive and quality treatment of the patient.
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