what stethoscope to buy?

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I'd post over in the student nurse forum, except I thought I might get better (more) responses here...

I start clinicals this fall and need to purchase a stethoscope and a bp cuff. Our program recommends the Littmann brand, but one that has 2 sides...ie, not one where you just put more pressure on the chestpiece...one where you can flip it over b/c it's easier for students. However, I can't find any new Littmann's that do that...they all seem to have the first kind...

What do you recommend? I am in a PN program, but plan on pursuing my RN/BSN/MSN... so I want a good one that will last, one that I can hear very well with.... I'm willing to spend the $$, but just don't know what to get... the Littmann Cardio III is one that I keep coming across.

Specializes in Telemetry, ICU/CCU, Specials, CM/DM.

I have 2 Littman master Cardiology stethoscopes (only because the first one was stolen and finally returned and I had already bought a new one that I did have engraved). They are great stethoscopes. You can find decent prices online but compare.

Christy

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Specializes in Cardiology, Management, Community Health.

Depends. Littman is the way to go and for cardiology I definetly recommend the 3M Littman Master Cardiology stethoscope. I have it and it is really sweet and its a souft touch, so it will hear everything and you dont have to apply pressure, good for peds so you dont have to flip anything over. Someone did post that Littmans have a habit of disappearing, they do, so make sure to keep it on you at all times.

http://www.allheart.com/2163-65.html?green=27319958563 for the Master and here is a chart to compare http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/allheart/littmannspecs2011.pdf. Have fun choosing!

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I got a BP cuff from welch allyn (sp?) And the pump looks like a speed radar gun... I love it!

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Specializes in FNP.

With respect, there is no reason for a student to have anything fancier than a $20 sprague. You are not grading heart murmurs, you are taking blood pressures. You can hear an S3 or S4, bruits and adventitious lung sounds just fine with a sprague. It is unnecessary for you to have a cardiologist's stethoscope. Hold off, and let someone buy you one for graduation.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

moved to our nursing gear nursing stethoscope forum

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Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.
With respect, there is no reason for a student to have anything fancier than a $20 sprague. You are not grading heart murmurs, you are taking blood pressures. You can hear an S3 or S4, bruits and adventitious lung sounds just fine with a sprague. It is unnecessary for you to have a cardiologist's stethoscope. Hold off, and let someone buy you one for graduation.

While this is true, Spragues are heavy, cumbersome and just plain clunky. I can and have used them over the years but the quality is not anywhere near a Littman.

However, there are also, less expensive models of the Littman and I do agree that the Master Cardio is a bit of overkill in school.

I just don't like Spragues.....

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I had a $15 sprague 5 years ago when I did my CNA class. It worked fine, I learned to do BPs with it. But I don't like the 2 tubes that rub together, making more noise...that's the last thing I need. Maybe when I am better, and know what I am listening for, I can use a cheapo one in a pinch!

I didn't realize there's already an entire forum just for stethoscopes... ha!

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Specializes in SDU, Tele.

I start in the fall and I wouldn't bother getting an expensive Littmann now. First of all I'm a broke student, only working enough to pay for gas and books ;) and also, it could easily be borrowed and never seen again. I got a prestige clinical 1 for like $45 bucks in stealth. Its pretty ;) and it works for taking bps. I take a lot of bps living with my 84 yr old grandma.... save your $$$ for nursing student apps or something.

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So glad there is an entire forum dedicated to this.

Starting clinicals this fall and of course I've been wondering which is best. My thought is (and please share if you think this is the wrong way of thinking) is that now is the time to HAVE the best you can get. We'll be brand new, just learning the sounds, etc. I realize initially we'll only be taking bp, etc but more will come. I mean, this is not a case of "Ooo, look at me I'm a nursing student w/ a littman cardio iii, I'm playing the part..." It's education and from what I've read here can last many years. Thoughts?

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Specializes in ICU, Hospice, Nursing Education.

Well, I just can't see buying a sprague (which is as good as those isolation stethoscopes, IMO) when you are learning to listen to different sounds. Just because you are a student doesn't mean you are not going to assess your patients heart, lung, bowel sounds. I remember doing clinicals on a pulm special care unit as well as ICU and a tele floor. I remember other students in my class borrowing mine b/c they couldn't hear or decifer what they were hearing from their cheapie one. I bought the Master Cardio as a gift to myself at the beginning of starting the program and like I said, still have it 11 years later. Why not practice with what you learn on? IDK, just my opinion.

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