Poor old stethoscope

Nurses General Nursing

Published

My poor old stethoscope has been injured! Little Blue as I called her needs fixed. 16 years ago when I graduated from nursing school, I treated myself to a Litman Master Classic. At that time I think it was around $100 or so dollars, a lot for a new grad that just started working and didn't have the extra $$$. My mother and some other people thought I was crazy spending the money on something that would get lost or stollen. I had to prove them wrong and still have her!

Fast forward...the diaphragm and ear buds need replaced.

Anyone else have a old favorite nursing supply? How long have your stethoscopes lasted?

My old 16 year old Littman Clasic gave up the ghost this year. The rubber around the diaphram just crumbled away the the tubing was so old that it formed a permanent C shape.

I went to the medical supply store on campus and bought a $50 Littman lightweight stethescope and I wish I had gotten a new one sooner.

I really miss my Tubex; that is not replaceable.

Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

i can sympathize with you since i still have my first stethoscope that was giving to me by a cardiologist when i graduated it belong to him and he was retiring and honored me by giving me his well kept doctors stethoscope i can still recall what he said " here use it wisely and i hope you get to care as many patients in your career as i did" below you can appreciate a picture of it... aloha~

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Stethoscope? I don't need no stinking stethoscope.

I can hear rales/rhonci with my ear . I can tell if a patient is in CHF from the door.

Auscultation is over rated. If I see anything suspicious... I get an x ray ordered.

That is the ONLY way to tell if it is fluid overload... atelecstasis.. etc.

Bowel sounds? Nope . Don't need a scope.Take a mini history , visual observation will tell you if .. additional imaging is necessary.

Heart sounds? Yeah .. right .. like I could diagnose a new murmur.. they don't pay me enough for that. I can however note signs and symptoms of decreased cardiac output.

Plus.. they are a pain in the neck.. literally when they are draped over your neck!

P.S. I don't wear a watch either.

Specializes in retired LTC.

Gitano --- What an old-time gracious professional collegue (spelling?) of yours. Not too many around these days. He must have thought very well of you.

Stethoscope? I don't need no stinking stethoscope.

I can hear rales/rhonci with my ear . I can tell if a patient is in CHF from the door.

Auscultation is over rated. If I see anything suspicious... I get an x ray ordered.

That is the ONLY way to tell if it is fluid overload... atelecstasis.. etc.

Bowel sounds? Nope . Don't need a scope.Take a mini history , visual observation will tell you if .. additional imaging is necessary.

Heart sounds? Yeah .. right .. like I could diagnose a new murmur.. they don't pay me enough for that. I can however note signs and symptoms of decreased cardiac output.

Plus.. they are a pain in the neck.. literally when they are draped over your neck!

P.S. I don't wear a watch either.

I got a chuckle from this! I agree, but sometimes the slightest changes that start the downward slide could have been picked up if someone just took the stethoscope and listened to them, KWIM?

Having a one and knowing when and how to use it is key. I might not always know what I'm listening to, but knowing it ain't normal..

I rarely hang mine on my neck..(EMT training and working with demntia pts taught me that one)..its on my cart, hidden of course!

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