It is an integrated review which objectified to think over the use of Madeleine Leininger's theory of cultural care diversity and universality for the Brazilian scientific nursing production. The following databases were searched: Nursing Database, Latin-American and Caribbean Health Science Literature, and Scientific Electronic Library Online in the sampling period from January/1985 to January/2011. Sixty-two articles were selected, emerging four groups according to their methodological resemblance: 16,12% are experience accounts; 45,16% are investigative processes; 22,58 % are reflections and 16,12% are review on Leininger's theory. It was found that the theory is used to favors the proposal for nursing holistic care and its purpose of getting to know and respect clients' culture so that nursing actions accomplish the targeted results. It fosters invaluable contribution as it brings about reflections and designs some guidelines for nursing practice.
Transcultural Nursing; Nursing Theory; Nursing Care
