This study aimed to identify available evidence in literature about airway management by nurses through the insertion of the laryngeal mask during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in adult patients. In order to do so, the integrative literature review method was adopted, which aims to join and synthesize existing knowledge on the proposed theme. The following databases were accessed: LILACS, PUBMED, CINAHL and COCHRANE, using the controlled descriptors "laryngeal masks", "cardiopulmonary resuscitation", and "nursing". After exhaustive reading of the relevant articles, 18 references were selected. The results evidence that laryngeal masks are fundamentally important for airway management in critical situations and require training for their use. Laryngeal masks also proved themselves to be effective, reaching success levels of nearly 100%. The strong impact of studies published in the 1990's was evidenced in the Brazilian 2005 cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines, serving as a basis and receiving citation as such.
Laryngeal masks; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Nursing
