Single- or double-tube stethoscope? Which is better?

[boulergirl, CNA]

I recently purchased a double-tubed Prestige stethoscope, thinking that it would be a better choice than the cheap-looking single-tubed stethoscope provided for us at work. (It looks like it cost no more than $5.)

Someone at work, who is going to nursing to school, told me that her instructor will not allow them to use double-tubed stethoscopes because they diffuse the sound, making it harder to detect an accurate heartbeat when you take a blood pressure. (The thinking is that one artery only needs one tube.)

I'm just wondering if I wasted $18 on this thing.

[RoxanRN]

I recently purchased a double-tubed Prestige stethoscope, thinking that it would be a better choice than the cheap-looking single-tubed stethoscope provided for us at work. (It looks like it cost no more than $5.)

Someone at work, who is going to nursing to school, told me that her instructor will not allow them to use double-tubed stethoscopes because they diffuse the sound, making it harder to detect an accurate heartbeat when you take a blood pressure. (The thinking is that one artery only needs one tube.)

I'm just wondering if I wasted $18 on this thing.

Everyone has their own preferences. If you like the only you've got, keep it, but get a cheap one for school. That way, you won't garf up your 'good' one when you drop it is pee or poo.