Cardiology III vs. master cardiology stethoscope

Specialties CCU

Published

Hi nursing friends,

So I'm a new grad who just started in the CVICU at a large level I trauma/academic medical center. I'm looking to trade in my base model littman stethoscope I used in nursing school because I want a better one and of course one that's personalized with my name and RN and a pretty color ;) just curious what you guys would recommend, I'm torn between the cardiology III and the master cardiology. I've heard mixed reviews on both. Thanks! :)

delphine22

306 Posts

Specializes in Quality, Cardiac Stepdown, MICU.

I have a cardiology III and love it. I got it from medisave, they laser engraved my name on the bell very beautifully for free. I did end up getting a cloth cover for it, I never used one on other stethoscopes, but I found the tubing tended to stain with pen and other marks and I could never get it clean (with various methods), plus it had a sticky feel on my neck. But the cover means everyone knows which one is mine. :-)

Biffbradford

1,097 Posts

Specializes in ICU.

I also use the Cardiology III. Wonderful, but honestly, it won't matter. You won't be required to grade murmurs, listen for opening snaps, midsystolic clicks, or split S2s (which I have by the way, wanna hear?) It's crackles or wheezes? (lungs wet? need breathing treatment?) NG tube placement okay? intubated in lungs or stomach? Very basic. ;)

I have a cardioIII and love it! They say you don't need anything fancy for school, but I want to really learn what is going on and what I am listening to. Also, I have it in black with a rainbow finish on the diaphragm and bell. It's pretty :)

gunny48

24 Posts

Specializes in Emergency/Clinic.

I have both and my go to is the Cardiology III. Has all I need and is not as dependent on pressure for auscultatation since you have the bell & diaphragm option. Good job on getting in CVICU as a new grad!

NextGen

32 Posts

Specializes in Orthopedics/Trauma/Med-Surg.

I bought my used Cardiology III for $85 on Ebay between Christmas and New Years. There were not a lot of people bidding! I can hear patients in the next room with it. You will love it and it's well worth whatever price you pay. Just keep it around your next because stethoscopes do tend to "get lost" on units.

Risgirl

84 Posts

I don't know about the other one, but I borrowed a Cardiology III from one of the girls at work because my stethoscope was MIA (I found it later that night). It was AWESOME! I actually told someone that if I didn't find my stethoscope I know which one I would get to replace it. Definitely better than my run-of-the-mill Littman!

Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

littman master cardiology is the best imho

Specializes in Critical Care.

Just remember if you don't know what you listening too then it doesn't matter what fancy stethoscope you have. I can hear murmur just as good with a disposable isolation scope as i can with my master cardiology.

the nites

7 Posts

I represent no med equipment company. Buy only a low to mid priced st/scope. In an isolation room you will use the $1.99 disposable model, the M.D.'s are not using any, the sitting charge RN is busy texting another RN on duty(or maybe one at home, a friend) that you are starting neo or levo on one of your patients and may not know exactly how to handle it--though you actually do b/c you are in reality "up" working in your room and actually care about your patient and your job. I really do not notice any difference w/the st/scope world. I work on a unit such as you describe for many years. keep on truckin.

3**835Y

38 Posts

Trust me, make your life easier and protect your patients!.....Get the best stethoscope you can afford! I have the black Master Cardiology. To me, it was an investment and it'll last me probably my entire nursing career....so the extra few dollars won't matter in the long run. I can testify from experience that you WILL hear things that others won't with their cheap stethoscopes. Folks can say that a cheap one is just as good if you know what you are listening to.......but don't listen to them. I have both and for me, the difference is night and day. I have more than once heard murmurs and irregularities that other "more experienced" nurses haven't and have many....MANY times heard respiratory issues that other nurses didn't hear. I have both, a cheapo stethoscope from my old school days and a Master Cardiology. When my boy is sick which one do you think I grab???

3**835Y

38 Posts

I have both, a cheapo stethoscope from my old school days and a black Master Cardiology. I've experimented by switching them out, mainly because the cheapo's are so much lighter and more comfortable. But I always return to the Master Cardiology. Maybe my hearing is not normal......But once you use a Master Cardiology it's hard to go back. To me, the Master Cardiology makes listening almost vivid. I can almost see what happening by hearing it.

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