is it necessary?

[kxvc]

I'm not sure where this post should go, but I thought I'd go straight to the experts.

I will be starting my OB, L&D, and Peds clinical rotation next semester in block 2. I have a Master Cardiology Littmann stethoscope that has an attachment for peds.

My question is will this stethoscope that is made primarily for adults be fine to use? OR, would I benefit more from a smaller pediatric/infant one?

I'm sure I could "get by" just fine with mine since I see people use adult ones for peds all the time. I just want what will be "best" for my learning experience. If there are great advantages to the pediatric stethoscopes then I'd like to get one before I begin my clinicals. They are within my budget, and I would have no problem payig for something if it will help me in school. As of now I really don't plan on working with children when I graduate, but I am keeping my options open. Who knows, I may just love it; I know I love kids.

Thanks in advance for your comments, thoughts, and/or advice! :redpinkhe

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

I think the quality of the stethoscope matters more than the size of it. It does make it a little more difficult to distinguish exactly where certain sounds are coming from when you use an adult one on an infant, but you'll probably find that chest sounds are referred all over the place in those little gaffers anyway even if you use a peds stethoscope. I work in a very busy, primarily cardiac PICU where most of our patients are babies and I use an adult stethoscope. I've trained my ears to pick out what I hear and where it's coming from over the years, and believe me, using a peds stethoscope on an 80 kg teenager is a definite exercise in frustration! Save your money for something you'll get more benefit from.

[ilovepeds]

I have been in peds for almost 3 months, and most people on my unit do not use a peds specific stethoscope. It may benefit to have an infant one in NICU, etc... but for the most part you will see all ages and sizes in peds, and it's easier to use an adult stethoscope on small babies than to try and use a small one on the bigger kids. Currently we have lots of kiddos on isolation due to RSV, bronchiolitis, and flu...so they have their own peds stethoscope anyway! The adult one has worked just fine for me and others that I work with, and especially just for clinicals, I would not recommend you go out and buy one that you will only use a few weeks. You will be able to pick up on sounds just fine without the investment. I do not believe it will enhance or hinder your education experience.