| Secondary abstract: |
Introduction: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises as a result of a systemic inflammatory response to infection. Rapid recognition and treatment are crucial for improving outcomes and reducing the risk of death, with healthcare professionals, especially nurses, playing an important role. It is also essential to educate nursing students about the appropriate management of patients with sepsis, so they can perform their future profession confidently and professionally, thereby contributing to better treatment outcomes. Purpose: The aim of the thesis is to evaluate, through a literature review, the existing knowledge of students and nurses regarding the recognition of early signs of sepsis, and to identify potential differences in knowledge between countries that could affect timely diagnosis and treatment. Methods: To prepare this thesis, we employed a descriptive research method. Literature was sought in the databases CINAHL, Medline/PubMed, ScienceDirect, the Digital Library of Slovenia, and through the Google Scholar search engine. The searches were conducted using English keywords: »systemic inflammatory response syndrome«, »guidelines«, »nursing«, »education«, »competence«. We used literature published within the last ten years that is professional and available in full text. Results: A total of 10 scientific articles were included in the literature review, which were divided into three areas: nursing students' knowledge of recognizing the early signs and symptoms of sepsis, knowledge of nurses in developed countries, and knowledge of nurses in developing countries. Nursing students were generally less trained in recognizing the early signs and symptoms of sepsis. Nurses in developed countries showed better knowledge, as they have access to educational programs, advanced diagnostic tools, and guidelines, which enable faster and more effective recognition of sepsis. In developing countries, however, nurses were often inadequately trained due to limited access to resources, contributing to higher mortality rates from sepsis. Discussion and conclusion: The literature review highlighted significant differences in knowledge and competence in recognizing the early signs and symptoms of sepsis among nursing students, nurses in developed countries, and nurses in developing countries. Ongoing training, improved access to diagnostic tools, and the integration of fundamental knowledge about sepsis into healthcare education programs can significantly contribute to greater awareness and better patient care in the future. |