THE ROLE OF THE NURSE IN THE EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT OF CARDIOPULMONARY ARREST

Abstract

Cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) is recognized as one of the most important medical emergencies, requiring early identification and immediate care to increase the patient’s chances of survival. In this context, nurses play a fundamental role in continuous monitoring, recognition of clinical deterioration, and performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) maneuvers. This study aimed to analyze the nurse’s role in the early identification and management of CPA. This is an integrative literature review conducted between January and March 2026 in the SciELO, PubMed, LILACS, and Google Scholar databases, using the descriptors “cardiopulmonary arrest,” “nursing,” “cardiopulmonary resuscitation,” and “early identification.” Studies published between 2019 and 2025 in Portuguese, English, and Spanish were included. The results showed that rapid nursing intervention, associated with periodic training, continuous monitoring, and correct application of CPR protocols, contributes positively to better clinical outcomes. Furthermore, national and international guidelines highlight the relevance of nurses in the rapid and systematic management of cardiopulmonary arrest. It is concluded that professional qualification, continuing education, and institutional support are essential to improve nursing care and reduce mortality related to CPA.