Introduction: A stroke is a sudden loss of brain function due to interrupted blood circulation to the brain. It can occur as a result of a clot or a haemorrhage and causes characteristic stroke signs and symptoms. Stroke is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. In case of a stroke it is important (1) to recognize the symptoms and call the emergency number (112) as soon as possible, that (2) the emergency medical team acts quickly and that (3) the patient receives hospital care in the first four and a half hours after the symptoms occur. Purpose: Identify and describe a stroke and its types, to present the epidemiology of a stroke, the importance of a quick intervention and the role of a registered nurse in the treatment process of a patient suffering from a stroke. Methods: We used the descriptive method and combined it with an overview of Slovene and foreign literature. Our research included articles found in the online bibliographic databases, such as COBIB.SI, CINHAHL, Medline plus, ScienceDirect, which were accessed using the Internet and the Digital Library of the University of Ljubljana. Our research includes the literature written between the years 2006 and 2019. Results: The professional treatment of a stroke begins with a call to the emergency number 112. If the emergency services suspect a stroke, the dispatcher will send the emergency medical team that will use the ABC principle for assessing the situation. In the event that the patient is unresponsive, the emergency medical team has to follow the general principles of resuscitation. In the meantime, the nurse checks the patient’s airway, breathing and circulation. The nurse also collects information on all the vital functions, performs an electrocardiogram and measures the blood sugar level, and sets up an intravenous line. As quickly as possible the emergency medical team transports the stable patient to the hospital that is equipped for treating patients suffering from a stroke, where they can continue with the necessary treatment. Discussion and conclusion: When dealing with a stroke patient, early detection of stroke signs and symptoms as well as an early intervention is crucial due to the possible rapid collapse of the brain cells. People use the F.A.S.T. If the patients are conscious, we can help them lie down into the bed and making sure their head is slightly raised. Unconscious patients that are breathing on their own should be placed on one side, and if the patients are not breathing, we need to perform CPR (in other words Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and call emergency services on the emergency number 112.
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