New Nursing Student: Should I spoil myself with an electronic BP cuff?

[Amcanarn]

I was accepted to a nursing program that begins this summer. Should I purchase an electronic BP cuff that measures pulse, as well? These are a bit costly, but sometimes when I listen through a stethoscope while counting, I miscount or become distracted. Will I be tested on how to use a manual BP cuff?

Also, would you recommend this stethoscope? http://www.allheart.com/3m-littmann-stethoscope/p/31273134/ I know that I'm only a nurse, but as a patient with an obvious heart click that most doctors don't even notice, it's important to me that I learn how to recognize abnormal heart noises.

Thanks.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

I wouldn't. In the nursing home, we were only allowed to use manual. We get checked off with manuals, so you should try to get as much practice with a manual cuff as possible. In the hospital, we aren't allowed to bring our own cuffs for infection control, so we use the hospital's electronic vital sign machines.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

Your comments are very much appreciated! I guess my boyfriend will have to be my guinea pig.

Another question, and I hope this doesn't come across as insensitive. We were practicing vitals in A&P2 lab and I had a hard time counting the pulse of my overweight lab partner. Everyone in my family is really thin, and it was really difficult for me to count her pulse and maneuver the stethoscope around her breasts. How do you practice on people with different body shapes without letting them know?

Thanks.

Don't make a big deal out of it. If her breast is in the way, ask her to lift it for you. If you have trouble counting her radial, count the apical with a stethoscope. In the hospital, dopplers are a good way to find hard-to-feel pulses.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Another question, and I hope this doesn't come across as insensitive. We were practicing vitals in A&P2 lab and I had a hard time counting the pulse of my overweight lab partner. Everyone in my family is really thin, and it was really difficult for me to count her pulse and maneuver the stethoscope around her breasts. How do you practice on people with different body shapes without letting them know?

Thanks.

Fat people know they're fat, so "without letting them know" is sorta silly. They need accurate assessment too. You will learn how to find landmarks around extra padding and learn to listen better by practicing and I don't know any shortcuts to that. There are more fat people than skinny people in hospitals. :)

[bluedove1]

I have yet to use my manual BP cuff on anybody but my family....don't need it at school cause the school has BP cuffs to practice with....don't need it at the hospital cause the hospital has electronic cuffs...so I use it on myself and family...probably could have gone without the purchase

[eatmysoxRN, ASN, RN]

Working on a cardiac step down it is essential that I can take an accurate manual bp. Majority of the time a crazy abnormal reading on the monitor was actually very different manually. I always double check off readings or readings that are abnormal for the patient. I would prefer to do manual bps on all my patients but time restraints are definitely in place. I suggest purchasing a good stethoscope and a standard manual cuff. Practice on everyone.

~ No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent -Eleanor Roosevelt ~

[DawnJ]

I've found that the electronic ones can be way off. I have one but spent so much time rechecking wonky readings manually that it really isn't a time saver for me.

[Amcanarn]

Thanks y'all for the wonderful comments! Truly helpful!

[Best_Name_Ever]

There are some great comments on here already, but I just wanted to add something. At the hospital I work at, nurses are required to document a manual blood pressure at least once a shift and on admission. So most nurses do a manual bp on their first assessment. You cannot rely on the electric ones. Once you learn how to do it, it's easy. I wouldn't worry too much.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

As PP's have said, you will need to learn how to take a manual BP. Most, if not all, nursing programs discourage against an electronic BP cuff. And besides, learning how to take a manual BP (once you get the hang of it) is not a difficult skill.

As for the stethoscope, I have that one as well as a Classic II SE. I used the Classic II SE throughout school then upgraded to the Cardiology III. I definitely don't regret my choice.

[Wrangler156]

We were not allowed to use an electronic BP cuff, we had to know how to use a manual one. As far as the stethoscope GET IT!!! I have the same one and it makes all the difference! I can hear murmurs that other students can't and can hear pretty much to the exact number of the BP measurement, great with respiration count as well. So my advice is get the Cardio III!!! I had to convert my ped. side to a traditional bell for my 1st semester, but I am putting my ped side back on after my 2nd semester( what I am in now) since I had peds next semester. I think of the stethoscope as a good investment. I HIGHLY recommend the cardio III. As you can tell I LOVE mine I have had it since my first semester :) the bell also is amazing and the ped side also acts as a bell is my understanding, but I had a teacher that wanted me to convert it to a traditional bell for just that class. Wonderful piece of equipment though :) I also have the welch allyn tycos BP cuff I live it as well, it is also pricey though. I haven't really even used mine though we have always used the ones at school mounted to the thing on the wall, and have used the electronic ones in the hospital. Get the stethoscope :)

As far as the weight, it doesn't bother me really, I usually keep it in my lab coat pocket until I am on rounds then I keep it around my neck, but am going to buy a side clip thing to keep it off all of the germs on my neck and to keep the patient's germs away from my face. I would recommend the 27" one though keeps you out of a coughing sick person's face.

Also, if you get the cardio 3, or any really I would get one with the normal stainless diaphragm/bell, because the all black, etc are just painted on so they chip off or a lot of students I know have had them chip off.

[ChrisMarie09]

We are not allowed to use the automatic cuffs. Even in clinical, we are supposed to do it manually then if it is way off the patient's current baseline, we can double check it with the electronic.

Also I would wait to splurge on a fancy steth until after graduation and you know what area you plan on going into, especially a cardiology one, that you likely won't need outside of critical card, cardiac and E.R. I have a Classic II S.E. and I hear everything just fine with it. You have to train your ears and your focus. In fact, the first month of school I used my grandma's 30 year old Littman (Navy nurse, then a worked her way up the management ladder) and had no trouble. So I would suggest getting a Littman because they're great quality and will last you and the Classic may be all you ever need.

[Tinker88]

Georgiapeachgal, did you ever buy a stethoscope? I am considering buying one as well because I would love to start practicing on family members LOL :), but I don't know if I should wait. We start clinicals in January (right?) so we could ask at orientation what they prefer.