how to pick a stethoscope

I personally like Littman. I've had a Littman Lightweight II when I was an EMT - stolen before starting nursing school. My school required the Littman Cardiology III - I've had that for 6 years now. Expensive, but highly recommend!

I have a $12 sprague and I have a $80 Littmann Classic. I taught myself how to do manual blood pressures before my program starts next week, and I vaguely know what to listen for when I listen to the heart and lungs. I listened to a few audio files. In my opinion there's no huge difference. The Littmann is better hands down for lung sounds but for everything else, I can do it on the $12 one.

You'll be able to really tell the difference when you're auscultating heart and lung sounds in a noisy environment. For BPs on healthy patients in a relatively quiet setting, the cheap one will do just fine. If you want to be able to distinguish between different heart sounds - get something nicer. Doesn't have to super expensive, but just realize that you'll use this for a while - I'm going on 6 years with mine and its in mint condition. If you divide the initial cost over 6 years, its not so bad.

You'll be able to really tell the difference when you're auscultating heart and lung sounds in a noisy environment. For BPs on healthy patients in a relatively quiet setting, the cheap one will do just fine. If you want to be able to distinguish between different heart sounds - get something nicer. Doesn't have to super expensive, but just realize that you'll use this for a while - I'm going on 6 years with mine and its in mint condition. If you divide the initial cost over 6 years, its not so bad.

Absolutely. It will do well in the beginning. I have the cheap one to use for a while until I get into the groove of not leaving it all over the place or any place except in my pocket. My expensive one was a gift and I have my name engraved in it. I'd rather my cheap one go missing than that one.

I really like my Littmann Classic. Was used and abused in nursing school and should serve me well in my new job. I don't recommend going anymore expensive, at least while you are in nursing school. You can upgrade when you are done with school. It will be super stressful if it goes wandering and you need to replace. If money is tight, a cheaper one ($12-30 range) will do just fine. In that case upgrade to a Littlam after you graduate.

Definitely not the double tube. Single tube. The sounds are heard better. They aren't spilt into two tubes.

I bought the Littman cardiology. I loved it in school and I love it now. When you don't know what you are listening for, having a scope that will at least let you differentiate between what's normal or not, really helps. You can hear those subtle differences. You may not know exactly what you are hearing, but you will know it's not right. As I new nurse, I still don't always know what it is, just that its abnormal.

After 3 years, my cardiology is in excellent condition. It's like brand new. I don't regret spending the extra money. Mine always got borrowed from classmates in school to hear with.