Introduction: First-trimester abortion is a procedure performed early in pregnancy, usually within the first 12 weeks. Patients face a range of physical and emotional challenges immediately and in the weeks following the procedure. The role of nursing is crucial in ensuring effective management of pain, bleeding, and psychosocial well-being during recovery. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma work is to identify the key physical, emotional, social and spiritual challenges faced by patients after first-trimester abortion, and to examine the role of the nurse in their treatment. Methods: A descriptive method was used with a review of domestic and foreign scientific and professional literature. The literature search was conducted in the international databases MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar and included freely available literature in Slovenian and English, published between 2013 and 2025. The process of screening and selecting literature is shown with a PRISMA diagram. We performed a content analysis of the literature. The results were presented in tabular and textual form. Results: A review of the literature shows that the most common physical challenges are pain, bleeding and general physical discomfort. Emotional responses include relief, sadness, anxiety and feelings of guilt, with their intensity influenced by individual and social factors. Social and spiritual challenges are mainly manifested in the form of stigma, lack of support and internal conflicts. The nurse has a key role in monitoring the physical condition, identifying complications, providing psychological support and ensuring comprehensive, patient-centered health care. Discussion and conclusion: The findings show that induced abortion is a multidimensional experience that requires a holistic approach in nursing care. The nurse plays a central role in this, as she contributes significantly to the safe recovery and better well-being of patients with her professional knowledge, empathetic communication and individualized approach. To improve the quality of healthcare, it is important to develop standardized approaches, strengthen the education of nurses and ensure greater accessibility of psychological and social support.
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