Introduction. The clinical range of COVID-19, ranges from asymptomatic to full-blown, which is characterized by respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation and ICU support. Aim. The aim of the study is to present the most important nursing problems of a patient infected with coronavirus, staying in the infectious ICU zone, and to highlight the importance of professional nursing activities over the patient. Case study. A 63-year-old female patient, professionally active, was admitted to the infectious disease ward after contact with COVID + person. At the time of admission, with symptoms of fever 38.5°C, shortness of breath, feeling unwell. After two days in the infectious ward, the patient's condition worsened, and respiratory failure developed. Conclusions. At every stage of care for a patient with COVID-19 and a complication in the form of acute respiratory failure, staff encounters specific problems and difficult, stressful situations, hence the role of knowledge, experience, as well as training algorithms in a high fidelity simulation room earlier.

Key words: acute respiratory distress syndrome, COVID-19, intensive care.