Medical equipment for clinicals

Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN · Jan 18, 2012

[color=#2f4f4f]hey kim! while my program hasn't said anything on us purchasing our own oximeter, my instructor did stress to us the importance of getting our own portable bp cuff due to limitations of them in most of our clinical settings, this way there doesn't come a time where we are standing and waiting around for someone to get finished using one in the event that all are occupied. if i were you, i'd go ahead and purchase a bp cuff to keep on hand just in case that becomes a case for you as well. it couldn't hurt, and they are pretty affordable. you can find some great deals on ebay for them if you are trying to hunt bargains. :)

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jan 18, 2012

We were specifically instructed to NOT purchase oximiters as they require calibration routinely (and more frequently than BP cuffs. Pulse oximiters required calibration every 3 months in the one facility) which should be done by the biomedical department or contractor of the facility. Plus the cheaper pulse oximiters are not always very accurate, I've seen pink patients in no acute distress, no respiratory symptoms have a 88% pulse ox reading on a "cheaper model", used the regular model and voila they were really 98%. (Turned out the battery was low on the "cheaper model" but because it wasn't a standard battery size (AAA, etc.) it was more expensive & difficult to replace. The button batteries can cost $5-6 each!)

BP cuffs calibration (manual) are valid for approximately 10yrs (depending on model/manufacturer). Since wrist BP cuffs require specific placement & hand needs to be held over hear they can be notoriously inaccurate. The one facility had wrist cuffs for "quick" checks on pts w/o heart conditions or BP issues and we had more inaccurate results that they wasted more time than saved more time.

Plus you also have to worry about the clean up factor. (Many readily available wrist cuffs are designed for single patient use whereas manual BP cuffs are designed for multiple patient use. wrist BP cuffs are not as easy to clean).

Same thing with scissors--we were to use the scissors in the dressing change kits or suture removal kits for any wound care. Our personal scissors could be used to trim tape or remove extra hospital bands. but at least scissors can withstand a rubdown with an alcohol pad.

My school required that each student have their own stethoscope (model was personal preference. I found success with a simple $9 version while other students insisted that they could only use a $150 Littman model), manual BP cuff with case (they usually come in cases) Automated wrist cuffs were not permitted. We weren't even supposed to use the wrist cuffs if the facility nurses had them since the point was to practice our skills. We also needed black pens, a name tag holder that was "break away" so that if grabbed it would come off rather than choke us, a penlight, and a small pair of bandage scissors. Clipboards were discouraged as the students who used them especially in LTC looked more like state/federal investigators than nursing students and it made staff & residents uncomfortable.

TryingNot2BeScared · Jan 19, 2012

Oh lord I start my LPN program on monday and haven't a clue what an oximiter is! Should I?? Is it the thing you put on the finger to measure O2?

Kimkb0429 · Jan 19, 2012

Tryingnot2be cared, yes it is and don't worry...I'm sure you will pick up on everything quickly! Good luck on Monday!

TryingNot2BeScared · Jan 19, 2012

Thank you I guess my medical terminology is pretty good since I figured it out lol.