i've checked most of the other supplies off my checklist and now i'm left with the biggest and most confusing purchase. the time has come for me to buy a stethoscope. this is difficult for me because i've never even held one and know absolutely nothing about them. fortunately, there have been plenty of discussions here about which stethoscopes are best. based on what i've read, i've decided to get a littmann. if only there weren't so many to choose from! i want to get a really good one to start off with (and hope it doesn't grow legs). i like the littmann master cardiology and the cardiology iii and will probably end up getting one of those two.
now for my questions. remember i told you that i know nothing about stethoscopes? try not to laugh. the supplies list from my school specifies that we need a stethoscope with a diaphragm and bell. i know that the two i mentioned have diaphragms because the website mentioned their diaphragm even though i have no clue what the diaphragms do. what about the bell? the website didn't mention a bell, so that probably means that they all have bells and this is a particularly silly question. somebody please enlighten me. do the two stethoscopes i'm interested in have bells and whistles... um diaphragms?
also, they have to confuse me more by offering different lengths. do i want 22'' or 27''? i don't know. i'm 5'8'', if that has anything to do with it. help!
if i'm this stressed out and confused about ordering a stethoscope, this whole nursing school gig is going to be interesting for sure! :chuckle
