Lenght of a stethoscope

Hello,

I'll be starting my nursing career in Med-Surg/tele Unit in about 2 weeks. Right now I'm in search for a good stethoscope. I've heard that Littman Master Cardiology Stethoscope is a good one and I'm thinking of buying it for myself ( costly though $135.98). My question is, what is the best lenght to use? A 22 inch or a 27 inch? And also if any of you is using this type, how much does it weigh? I really want something that's lightweight and do not leave marks on my neck after a 12 hour shift. I picked this forum since all you I'm sure is an expert in picking the right kind..after all cardiac assessment is a big part of your work :) Thanks a bunch!!!

It's really not the length of the scope that counts...rather, how you use it.

Seriously though, if you have a sensitive nose get the longer one, because you can keep a better distance from the sometimes-stinky people you'll be assessing.

It's really not the length of the scope that counts...rather, how you use it.

Seriously though, if you have a sensitive nose get the longer one, because you can keep a better distance from the sometimes-stinky people you'll be assessing.

ha-ha-ha :chuckle That's funny! I like that!

IF you are tall you might consider the longer one--some of the positions I had to be in when I had a shorter scope whew!

Be aware that 5 more inches can produce more artifact sounds. :Melody:

IF you are tall you might consider the longer one--some of the positions I had to be in when I had a shorter scope whew!

Be aware that 5 more inches can produce more artifact sounds. :Melody:

Actually I'm petite ( 5'2") so I went ahead and bought a 22" Littman Master Cardio stethoscope...Whew! pricey I just hope it's woth the money. I start my job on monday and I'm extremely nervous about it. I thnk I'm more nervous about the people I'll be working with ( RN's, MD's, CNA's, LVN's etc). I have to overcome my shyness...otherwise they might step down on me and take advantage of me. Any suggestions??? Sorry just gotta vent.

Good choice. :balloons: Monitor the ring holding the diaphragm on. Mine; on my littman cardiomaster fell off somewhere. I should get it replaced.

I have found out; after the fact, that I hear just as well with my "cheep" scope now that I know what I am listening for. Good luck.

Do not get caught up with others, just do your job and do it well. Then you will be recognized without you making efforts,or pushing your way in.

Personal preference..I like the short tubing better, I can hear better with it.

..................................Seriously though, if you have a sensitive nose get the longer one, because you can keep a better distance

from the sometimes-stinky people you'll be assessing.

:rotfl: Good one! I like the longer ones for that reason, and also to have more distance from the patients who always like to cough or sneeze when getting their lungs and heart assessed.

When I was shopping I went to littmans website. They have a study published on there that says the length of there tubing will not effect the sound quality of there scopes. However, they did say that a longer tube would make deep bass notes more pronounce.

The longer tubing is easier on the back, and less akward doing BP's, bowel sounds, etc. It is true, no matter the scope, it takes practice to hear what you need to hear.

Hi, all!

Finally I got to try my new stethoscope. It was my first day today at work. Well, I must say I like the quality of it but I think in no time my back may give up because I have to keep bending down and then of course I had some patients whose smell was not pleasant at all so it was a little painful doing the heart/lung sound assessment. Whew! So, I think I might have to exchange iy for a longer tubing. Just thought I'd let you guys know.

Hello,

I'll be starting my nursing career in Med-Surg/tele Unit in about 2 weeks. Right now I'm in search for a good stethoscope. I've heard that Littman Master Cardiology Stethoscope is a good one and I'm thinking of buying it for myself ( costly though $135.98). My question is, what is the best lenght to use? A 22 inch or a 27 inch? And also if any of you is using this type, how much does it weigh? I really want something that's lightweight and do not leave marks on my neck after a 12 hour shift. I picked this forum since all you I'm sure is an expert in picking the right kind..after all cardiac assessment is a big part of your work :) Thanks a bunch!!!

How do you justify paying $135 for stethoscope when you can buy one for $35? Do you actually hear better?

How do you justify paying $135 for stethoscope when you can buy one for $35? Do you actually hear better?

That is like saying how can you justify buying a calculator when an abacus will work. The difference is immeasurable.

I had what I thought was a good stethescope until I got the Littman, and yes, it is worth the money and yes I can hear much better with it. It is an investment, and I never lay it down because I know it would walk off. You can use any stethescope to take an average blood pressure. But if you want to know if the breaths sounds are better after the neb treatment, if the heart tones are muffled, hear soft bowel sounds or any number of subtle changes you want to be aware of, you have to have a good stethescope.

I also use the longer tubing for the reasons mentioned already. There are many people in the ER I just don't want to get that close to. Also it is more comfortable requiring less bending, and hangs around my neck better than the short ones.