Introduction: In the acute period after a stroke, patients are often faced with swallowing disorders. Nurses play an important role in identifying patients who are at risk of aspirating fluid or food into the airways, and in preventing complications such as dehydration, malnutrition and death. Those findings and as well as the treatment of dysphagia are carried out in teams. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma work is to define dysphagia after a stroke, to present the role of a nurse in a patient with dysphagia and to present the findings of the regarding research work consisting the nurse’s understanding of dysphagia at the Neurological Clinic in Ljubljana. Methods: The research was conducted through an anonymous questionnaire in the form of a cross-sectional study, and we used quantitative research methodology. In the theoretical part, the descriptive method of work was used. The literature was sought with the help of international COBISS databases, Cochrane Library, CINAHL with full text, MEDLINE and ScienceDirect, which we accessed through the PubMed and DiKUL search engines. The selected articles have been related to stroke dysphagia and the role of a nurse in identifying it. Results: In the study, we found that most of the questioned nurses have a problem with feeding a patient who has a swallowing disorder. This is one of the more responsible tasks for nurses. Knowing the basics, definitions and facts of swallowing disorders is quite good for nurses. Practical knowledge is somewhat weaker, especially taking into account the conditions surrounding the implementation of water swallowing test. Discussion and conclusion: With additional knowledge in the field of therapeutic and compensatory receptions, the self-confidence of nurses in feeding and patient hydration would likely be considerably higher. An established and successful way of identifying patients with dysphagia helps to prevent complications caused by dysphagia. Additional training of personnel would further enhance the success of the treatment. Emphasis needs to be given on good teamwork and networking in the multidisciplinary team. The study showed the need for continuous education by specialist speech therapists, trained to treat patients with a neurogenic form of swallowing disorders.
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