Otoscope and Othalmoscope

[2bmalenurse007]

I'm a BSN student currently taking health assessment. We are learning how to use the otoscope and othalmscope. I was wondering how often do nurses really use the tools in the real world environment?

Thanks

[MB37]

...we had to bring our own (the school's, we didn't have to buy them) with us to clinical to practice because the hospital doesn't have any... Unless you specifically work with pts with ear/eye problems, they told us that we won't use them in the hospital setting. You may if you become a family NP or work as a school nurse, or in a clinic that does hearing/vision screenings.

[shrimpchips, LPN]

I'm a BSN student currently taking health assessment. We are learning how to use the otoscope and othalmscope. I was wondering how often do nurses really use the tools in the real world environment?

Thanks

Personally I think the otoscope/ophthalmoscope is more for private practice. Our instructor said that use of an otoscope/opthalmoscope is at the MASTER'S level, not at the BSN level so no, we won't really use these in the real world environment with just a BSN. But just think of it as your school giving you more tools to "play" with. You might not use the otoscope/opthalmoscope NOW but if you decide to progress to the master's level, at least you would have had a little experience using them in class.

[COLPN]

I use the otoscope quite regularly for patients with ear impactions who need ear washes. After I get a big chunck out I check to see if I need to continue. On the other hand I rarely use the opthalmoscope.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

when i worked in a nursing home we used the otoscope a lot. we did ear exams on a regular basis and frequently did ear irrigations for wax removal.

as far as using an ophthalmoscope for examination, it is up to you. when i worked in ltc we nurses did it a lot because these patients were seldom seen by docs.