Stethoscope Questions... Please Help!

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Specializes in Oncology.

i've checked most of the other supplies off my checklist and now i'm left with the biggest and most confusing purchase. the time has come for me to buy a stethoscope. this is difficult for me because i've never even held one and know absolutely nothing about them. fortunately, there have been plenty of discussions here about which stethoscopes are best. based on what i've read, i've decided to get a littmann. if only there weren't so many to choose from! i want to get a really good one to start off with (and hope it doesn't grow legs). i like the littmann master cardiology and the cardiology iii and will probably end up getting one of those two.

now for my questions. remember i told you that i know nothing about stethoscopes? try not to laugh. the supplies list from my school specifies that we need a stethoscope with a diaphragm and bell. i know that the two i mentioned have diaphragms because the website mentioned their diaphragm even though i have no clue what the diaphragms do. what about the bell? the website didn't mention a bell, so that probably means that they all have bells and this is a particularly silly question. somebody please enlighten me. do the two stethoscopes i'm interested in have bells and whistles... um diaphragms?

also, they have to confuse me more by offering different lengths. do i want 22'' or 27''? i don't know. i'm 5'8'', if that has anything to do with it. help! :confused:

if i'm this stressed out and confused about ordering a stethoscope, this whole nursing school gig is going to be interesting for sure! :chuckle

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You want the Cardiology III. You get an adult and peds diaphragm. The diaphragm is the large or wide part every scope has, and the bell is the smaller side that usually not covered by a diaphragm. Basically, the diaphragm is the cover, like the Littmann has the "L" logo on it's clear-looking diaphragm. The Littmann is tunable, whereas the amount of pressure determine the sounds you hear. To hear low frequency sounds, use light pressure by resting it on the skin. That is what traditional bell sound is for, low frequency slounds. To hear higher frequency sounds, you use pressure and press against the skin. This can be acheived with the tunable diaphragms most scopes have, but I like to convert the peds diaphragm into an old-style "traditional" bell by removing it's cover (diaphragm). I find it works better for low freq sounds, as opposed to the tunable diaphragm.

I'm sure I confused you, but it's the best I can explain.

Also, the shorter tube is always better, so you preserve the sound quality by minimizing loss through extra tubing, but the 27" is really fine IMO.

Look at the Classic II SE, it has a traditional bell and tunable diaphragm. This is what I find most nurses using, because it's light and less expensive. The Cardiology III is really the best all-around stethoscope, simply because it's got thicker tubing and is nice quality (e.g., heavy duty). The Master is overkill IMO for anyone who isn't in cardiology or pulmonology. Some MDs don't even need such an expensive scope, but for a nurse, the Master is too much. Fairly heavy too IIRC.

BTW, people love to steal them, so never just lay it around or let just anyone "borrow" it.

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Specializes in Oncology.

tcas!!, thank you so much for your help! :bow:

since the cardiology iii doesn't have a "traditional" bell and my supply list specifies a bell, do you think my school will have a problem with it? i guess i'll have to call later on and find out for sure.

thanks again :flowersfo

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My school requires us to get the Littman Classic II. I found it for $66. at http://www.Jascouniform.com. I wouldn't go for the more expensive stetho yet. I find this to be very good. Good Luck

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The Master may be overkill but, if you have a problem hearing sounds with others talking around you the Master is THE TICKET! Our class even bought our instructor one for Christmas because she commented on how much easier it was to use!

Another selling point was the warranty. Check out the warranty before deciding. As far as stealing, trust me, if you spend $145 on a steth, you aren't going to let it walk. I have mine tagged X2!

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tcas!!, thank you so much for your help! :bow:

since the cardiology iii doesn't have a "traditional" bell and my supply list specifies a bell, do you think my school will have a problem with it? i guess i'll have to call later on and find out for sure.

thanks again :flowersfo

well, the cardiology iii does have a traditional bell, you just have to convert the peds side by removing the disk.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

No matter what brand you get, my only suggestion is to get the single tube. Some steths may look great, but if they are heavy they can be a real pain in the neck, literally!

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Specializes in Cardiac Step Down, PICU.

I bought/received the Littman Cardiology III my second semester of school. I had a cheaper Littman but could not hear very well...I asked for a better one for Christmas (Thanks Dad...who never knows what to get me so I shop for him :p ) I bought it online from Redding Medical for $117.00...they have sales in December and they laser your name on it. I love mine and love that it has my name right on it :)

Good Luck to you,

Chickey

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Specializes in Oncology.

Thanks for all of your help! I'm about to order my scope right now. I'm still trying to decide between the Cardio III and the Master Cardiology. I'm sure that the Cardio III would be just great, but the Master Cardiology is only $15 more. Do you guys know of any cons to spending the extra $15 for the Master Cardiology? Decisions, decisions.... :rolleyes:

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Specializes in Hey I'm now an RN!!.

do you have to have a bell and diaphragm? if so then choose the iii.

thanks for all of your help! i'm about to order my scope right now. i'm still trying to decide between the cardio iii and the master cardiology. i'm sure that the cardio iii would be just great, but the master cardiology is only $15 more. do you guys know of any cons to spending the extra $15 for the master cardiology? decisions, decisions.... :rolleyes:
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I've heard III is the best. Mine has a short length and I think I would like the longer one better. Just make sure you get it engraved because, unfortunately they sometimes sprout legs and walk. Good luck!!

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Specializes in Oncology.

Thanks for the replies! I ended up buying a cardio III. From everything I've read, they seem great. Also, I didn't want to seem pretentious walking around with a Master Cardiology the first day of class. I just wanted something that I can learn well with. I need all the help I can get where that's concerned! :)

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