Stethoscope Questions?

[YukonDave]

Hello everybody!

I dont know if anyone remembers me, but I came here about 1 year ago to ask whether or not my tattoo sleeves would be a problem in nursing. You were all very polite and informative. Im still considering being a nurse, just upgrading high school classes for a Bsn program. Ive been doing great lately.... Im currently an EMR with ILS training. I also work as a Home Care Attendant doing palliative care and all that good stuff. I really feel like im on the right track, life is good for this 22 year old! Anyways sorry for rambling on, thought id give an update on my life. Now for the questions- My ambulance supervisor suggested we invest in personal stethoscopes/sphymomanometers rather then using the communals on the ambulance(which seem shoddy). I wanted to know what the diffrence between a Cardiology stethoscope and a regular stethoscope is? Is it practical to use a cardio steth for doing bp & lung sounds? Iam not too worried about spending a little cash on one, i dont want crap. What would you all suggest?

I give many thanks and salutations to anyone who replies.

-Sincerely Dave McDonald

[YukonDave]

Anybody out there?

:balloons:

[nursemary9, BSN, RN]

Dave,

I can only tell you what I have.

I had in Home Care and also use it on my Med-Surg Floor.

I have a Littmann Master Classic II; it ran about $80-85.00.

Ive had it about 4 yrs and it has been very good for me.

It's a long, long time since I;ve been a student, so I don't know what they want you to have in school

Mary Ann

PS Just spoke to a student from a University program. She says they felt that a Cardiology steth. was best, but also it de[pended on the Instructor.

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

I am deaf in one ear and have a phillips electronic steth 200.00 from allheart.com. It amplifies sounds. It is great when I work on the ambulance and everyone I have loaned it to loves it. Only problem is I can never take it off my neck because it would disappear in a flash. Has worked great for three years now and not even needed a new battery.

[LilRedRN1973]

I have a Master Classic II as well and love it! In fact, most of the ICU nurses have the same stethoscope. There are a couple who have the cardiology ones, but not many.

Melanie = )

[StudentNurseAbby]

I have a Littman Classic II and it works wonderfully. I love it. I was going to get the Master Classic II but I wasn't able to because of school requirements.

If it was me and I had the extra cash to spend on it, I'd go with the Littman cardiology stethoscope.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Hi Dave - glad for the update - you are doing well!! Congrats. Anyway - on the ambulance - they should invest in decent equipment - its unheard of to ask volunteer staff to purchase their own equipment...that said - I have a littman cardio III and also the one that amplifies sound. Littman is the best brand there is (IMHO) but I wouldn't invest in a stheth and/or BP cuff for my ambulance service. I do pre-hospital EMS also and they have all the equipment which makes sense. I do carry an older Littman steth and gloves in my car in case I report to the scene in my own car but if I ride/drive the ambulance - I expect to use theirs. Take care.