I am a nursing student and am having trouble with blood pressure readings in the clinical setting. At home when I take them, I can practice on myself and friend and they are accurate and I can hear them clearly. Once I get to the clinical setting, I can not hear any sound at all. It is very confusing to me as I take my time to try and figure out exactly what I am doing wrong. I have a great stethoscope, so that isn't the problem, it is a master cardio littman. My earpieces fit correctly, and I don't have any hearing problems. I am following all of the steps I do at home, and I still can't hear a thing. I am not sure if it is anxiety or if I am possibly doing something else wrong.
Thank you in advance and any tips or tricks would be useful!
While in school I had trouble with some stethoscopes so I would use only one ear and place the other ear piece outside of my ear and was able to get the readings right every time.
There was another trick I used. I would fans to make a noise then use a TV or radio set low usually 8 or less on the volume level then focus on listening. I got better at tuning out other noise and hearing the low sounds I want to hear.
Red Shirt 6, CNA
2 Articles; 179 Posts
While in school I had trouble with some stethoscopes so I would use only one ear and place the other ear piece outside of my ear and was able to get the readings right every time.
There was another trick I used. I would fans to make a noise then use a TV or radio set low usually 8 or less on the volume level then focus on listening. I got better at tuning out other noise and hearing the low sounds I want to hear.
maybe one of these things will work for you.