Hearing with an Ultrascope?

Kudra · Jan 10, 2005

i replied in your other thread, but thought i'd add this:

i suggest either listening on your own chest or a willing victim's :chuckle ...

first, assess their heart sounds as you normally would... remember, with the Ultrascope you use LIGHT pressure for heart sounds... try listening using the lightest pressure possible and then start to gradually add more pressure until you are firmly holding the stethoscope on the person's chest (without moving the head of the stethoscope)... then lighten the pressure again... can you hear a difference in the sound quality? with light pressure, the heart sounds should sound full and rounded... you can pick up more the characteristics of the heart sounds... the more pressure you add, the more muffled and dulled they sound and you cannot distinguish abnormalities as readily...

same thing with the lung sounds... start with a firmer pressure and assess, then lighten it up and listen, then apply more pressure once again... once you find the pressure where the sounds become loudest for you, then you can assess the quality of the lung sounds...

it takes a little time to fiddle around and figure out where each type of sound sounds best to you... when you assess a pt., you'll begin to start adjusting the pressure without even realizing you're doing it... it basically takes a little bit of practice...

loveandnyc · Oct 17, 2006

Kudra, thank you for this tip. I am looking into puchasing an ULTRASCOPE. I am a new grad RN and will be starting out in the PICU at Children's Hospital in Oakland, Ca. I wanted a stethoscope that would be more "inviting" for the children. I was just worried that I was paying more for the look rather than quality. When I was a student I think it was my sophmore year, I followed around a traveler nurse for a day and she was the only nurse I've ever encountered with an ultrascope. She let me borrow it and I remember then sound quality and how great it was.. then again I was still a 2nd year nursing student, who knows what I heard! But thank you so much for the tip! :nurse:

oneLoneNurse · Oct 17, 2006

Over 22 years ago when I first started nursing they came out with something like this. Is this any good for heart sounds ? Specifically BPs and apicals ? I want to listen, BUT find in alot of cases don't have the greatest hearing, never did. Actually my somewhat loss of hearing frightens me.

An old nurse just got back into field.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Oct 17, 2006

I think I said this on the other thread about these...but good to say it again!

Be very careful of the plastic pieces on that steth...expecially at the Y...they break easily if hit against bed rails and what not. I had a friend nurse buy one and two days later hit it on a bed rail and shattered the plastic at the Y and now doesn't work! She did get another...but took a long time. So just be aware of that and keep it safe...that is a spendy steth....

loveandnyc · Oct 17, 2006

Thank you so much for the advice... I am ONE TO DROP everything!

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2006

Sometimes you need the stethoscope to knock someone in the head with, I always like cheap and indestructible, myself

jojotoo, RN · Oct 17, 2006

Kudra - Thanks for the advice. I just ordered one. Can't wait to get it and try it out!

IndianapolisNurse · Oct 18, 2006

I purchased an Ultrascope in nursing school because it was "neat" looking. To be honest though, after using it awhile..I hated it!! I bought me a Litman and it is by far way better. Personally, the ultrascopes are cool looking but for listening to sounds..it was the worst! Just my personal opinion. Mine is still around some place..waste of money is what it was.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Oct 18, 2006

I never had much luck with the Ultrascope that i'd borrowed for a "test run".