Background: During an exacerbation, a person with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] can experience a deterioration beyond their usual condition. Symptoms of exacerbation can be difficult to identify therefore it is important that the nurses listen to the experiences of the relatives which has learned over the years to recognize symptoms of exacerbation.

Aim: The aim of the literature study was relatives’experiences of nursing care during a COPD exacerbation.

Method: Friberg's 5-step analysis was chosen to be used in the literature study to contribute to evidence-based nursing with a total of 11 scientific qualitative articles that were analyzed.

Results: The analysis resulted in two main themes; Relatives’struggle for care during an  exacerbation and The challenge to be a supportive relative. From the two main themes six subthemes were developed; Getting a person with COPD to seek care for symptoms of an exacerbation, Getting the healthcare staff to identify the need for care during an exacerbation, Being one step ahead of an exacerbation, Feeling tied to a person with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Relatives need for sleep and Having a need for knowledge.

Conclusion: Relatives have a significant responsibility in their role for being there and care for a person with COPD when symptoms of exacerbation arise, but also in regards of preventing distressing symptoms and invoke the need of support from the nurse and other health care personal. Thisto be able to manage and continue to take responsibility in care of a person with COPD.