classic littman vs cardiology scope?

[Good Morning, Gil]

Hey guys,

So, pretty soon, I will need to buy a new stethoscope. I didn't see this as a post previously, maybe someone already wrote it, but question:

I work in the ICU....which steth should I purchase?

I have read on amazon reviews that the extra money spent on the cardiology is worth it as you can hear so much more, much more clear, than what you hear with the classic. Don't mind spending double the money since assessment is pretty important, and I use it all of the time...obviously lol.

But, the classic littman is so lightweight, too. Is the cardiology so heavy that you can't wear it around your neck? I pretty much always keep mine around my neck so that I don't lose it or leave it somewhere....

Thank you!

[Rick68fl]

I have both. Received the Cardiac as a gift, and it is amazing!

I bought a Classic (Light) one because the Cardiac is kind of fancy for regular med surg stuff. The Classic is nice, but you hear better with the Cardiac.

If I ever get a job in a unit, I will go back to using the Cardiac.

[Rick68fl]

Oops - double post.

[Good Morning, Gil]

So you recommend it just for CVICU nurses? (I'm in the MICU). Can you hear everything better, even breath sounds? Think I may get this as my next steth. Thanks! :)

[Rick68fl]

I would recommend it to anyone who wants to hear better.

You hear everything better, whether heart sounds, lung sounds, abd sounds - whatever. It is a little bit heavier, but not enough to worry about.

I like it better than my other one, I just think it is too fancy for my med surg floor, so I carry the other one.

[beeker]

If you get the cardiology one, be warned. You can hear much better with it but you do want to put it down a lot. I stuff it in my pocket a lot which is annoying but doesn't make myneck hurt.

1. It is heavy and 2. People try to steal it all the time. Pretty much everyone who has asked to use it for a second has tried to walk off with it and I will chase you.

[Vespertinas]

I have the Classic SE II. I prefer it over the lightweight bc the lightweight is sold as for "basic blood pressure and limited physical assessment" only

The cardiology though requires a bit of skilled use. I'm sure it takes minimal repetition but you have to know how much pressure to apply on the diaphragm to listen for different sounds.

And they get stolen. I recommend an unpopular color like orange. No one has an orange stethoscope except me. If you're walking around with an orange stethoscope, I will tackle you first, ask questions later.

[Good Morning, Gil]

lol, guess I'll have to posey restraint the cardiology steth to my waist so no one steals it if I decide on that one.

Thanks for the info! I have the classic, as well. Didn't really even know there was a lightweight, but never looked into it. If the cardiology steth. is that awesome, I think I may try it. I always have my other steth as a back-up then (that's why I'm getting another one; I once had my steth crap out on me in the middle of the shift and then had to run to the overpriced store to get one for my next shift that night and couldn't get it from the much cheaper amazon lol).

@Rick...too fancy for med/surg? What do you mean by that? I hate when nurses don't give their area enough credit. If anything, you need it just as much since your assessment is all that you have. You don't have all of the extra bells and whistles of ICU's, so skilled assessments are a must. You catch an irregular HR (with your stetho, I may add lol), and then get an EKG ordered, etc.

[Vespertinas]

I once had my steth crap out on me in the middle of the shift and then had to run to the overpriced store to get one for my next shift that night and couldn't get it from the much cheaper amazon lol).

@Rick...too fancy for med/surg? What do you mean by that? I hate when nurses don't give their area enough credit.

you should see how many nurses use the disposable stethoscopes to get them through the day/week/career

[imanurs03]

Choose the cardiology. You won't regret it.