Lenght of a stethoscope

[mye614]

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!!!

[Dixielee, BSN, RN]

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.

[GLORIAmunchkin72]

Thanks for the info. But I had to ask. Some people buy a $1000 watch when they can buy $10 Kmart special. They both give you the time. But they could argue that they like the looks and durability. I can accept that.

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.

[ocb_dave_ocb, LPN]

i personally like mine its a prestige medical

[sarahRN482]

I personally prefer my Littman because it has the nice, soft, cushioned ear pieces. I've tried to use those hard plastic pieces of doo-doo that they send up in our isolation kits and they suck!