Embarassed -- Reading Blood Pressure

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I am scheduled to take my state CNA exam in a couple of weeks. I'm having difficulty with taking blood pressure (hearing the heart beats) and I think it is because of the stethoscope that I have. The slightest movement makes such noise that I cannot hear well enough to determine bp. Has anyone else had these difficulties and found a way to help? Or does someone recommend a particular stethoscope?

Attached is a picture of the stethoscope that I have (a gift):

Thanks Much!!

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Hi, I am currently taking my CNA classes. I always thought that I had a problem w/BP's. It turns out, I just couldn't hear it. I bought an ADC BP/Stethescope combo kit & it's great. It should run you about $47.50 for the kit (I actually got mine for $12.50 because my school's bookstore had the wrong price marked), but it's worth it-the clarity is excellent. I've been practicing on everyone. Good luck!

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Your stethoscope looks like my Prestige Medical Clear Sound. I haven't been able to compare it to any other stethoscopes, but I can hear heart and lung sounds (haven't taken a BP yet) with it as long as I don't move my fingers at all on the chest piece. Everything is amplified, obviously, but I didn't expect "outside" noises to come through so much. I'm not sure if that's normal or not.

I plan on getting a Littmann Classic II SE stethoscope before I start my CNA class. I've read a lot of good things about it on allnurses.

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Your stethoscope looks like my Prestige Medical Clear Sound. I haven't been able to compare it to any other stethoscopes, but I can hear heart and lung sounds (haven't taken a BP yet) with it as long as I don't move my fingers at all on the chest piece. Everything is amplified, obviously, but I didn't expect "outside" noises to come through so much. I'm not sure if that's normal or not.

I plan on getting a Littmann Classic II SE stethoscope before I start my CNA class. I've read a lot of good things about it on allnurses.

You are SO right - it is the Prestige Medical Clear Sound. And, it works great for listening for heart/lung - but the outside noises are picked up "big time" - and being completely still - and, not having the cuff rub against the chest piece AT ALL is difficult (at least for me).

Thank you for your reply. Greatly appreciated!

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Are you sure you may have to take blood pressure on your State's exam? Here in Minnesota, taking blood pressure is not on the State test.

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Here they select five "random" practical activities that you must perform - so, BP could be one. Ugh!

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Wow, that's quite a difference from here in Michigan Good luck

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I guess it is different in other States. In MN we have 5 random skills as well, but one will be hand washing, and one will be a measurement skill, like temp, pulse, respirations, weight or urine output. The next three are random.

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Specializes in home health, neuro, palliative care.

Do you get to bring your own steth? Usually there is a teaching scope at the testing site, so the observer can listen as well.

~Mel'

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make sure you have it in the right place. As long as you see the needle ticking, you are close. If all else fails, the blood pressure *usually* starts after the first tick (not counting it).

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I got an entry-level Littman from SmartScrubs (in its Arizona Mills store in Tempe, AZ) for about $34. They price-matched the Littman on allheart.com and then added on the discount they were currently offering (get a coupon book from the central kiosk in the mall --I have seen them range from 10 to 15% off).

Also, make sure that you angle the earpieces so that they are going into your ears well. Mine point rather like 4 and 8 o'clock.

With the Littman, I usually hear the first Korotokoff sounds before the needle starts to waver.

After starting my new job, I left the Littman at home as we just used an electronic vital sign machine. I was a bit worried when I heard I'd have to use a disposable stethoscope on an isolation patient. --Well, I angled the earpieces, and listened carefully, and I heard the sounds.

You might also get yourself a blood-pressure cuff. You can get those for around $10-12, too. Then you can practice at home and boost your confidence.

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I got an entry-level Littman from SmartScrubs (in its Arizona Mills store in Tempe, AZ) for about $34. They price-matched the Littman on allheart.com and then added on the discount they were currently offering (get a coupon book from the central kiosk in the mall --I have seen them range from 10 to 15% off).

Also, make sure that you angle the earpieces so that they are going into your ears well. Mine point rather like 4 and 8 o'clock.

With the Littman, I usually hear the first Korotokoff sounds before the needle starts to waver.

After starting my new job, I left the Littman at home as we just used an electronic vital sign machine. I was a bit worried when I heard I'd have to use a disposable stethoscope on an isolation patient. --Well, I angled the earpieces, and listened carefully, and I heard the sounds.

You might also get yourself a blood-pressure cuff. You can get those for around $10-12, too. Then you can practice at home and boost your confidence.

Excellent! Thank you so much for the information!!

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