stethoscope

MariahCareyizQUEEN! · Jul 18, 2010

I have the 2 sided one. The smaller one known as the "bell" is able to listen to vascular sounds such as bruits and is more finely tuned while the big one the "diaphragm" is used to listen to "wider or larger spaced" sounds like abdominal movements. I know when your not as experienced with exactly pulses are you will tend to use the diaphragm because it has a wider space and is more forgiving...sorta like a small pro tennis racket compared to the bigger tennis rackets for novices.

A few of my classmates got the one that just has one side and its more scientific and they grip it a certain way to let the stethoscope know if they are trying to get a sound from a wider range area like the diaphragm or a confined space like the vessels. Maybe i'll get one of those later in life. lol. Its preference unless you work in cardio.

Asystole RN · Jul 18, 2010

The different bells are for different pitches of sound, sharp vs deep sounds.

Some cheaper stethoscopes have a non tunable single bell. Personally I use the Littmann Master Cardiology II which has a single but tunable bell allowing me to hear sharp or deep sounds just by applying more or less pressure.

I recommend buy decent early instead of several cheaper scopes. Costs less in the long run.

Penguin67 · Jul 19, 2010

The one sided Littmann has the function of both a bell and a diaphragm. You press lightly for one and more firmer for the other. I personally like it, as it cuts down the flipping between the bell and the diaphragm when listening to heart and lung sounds, and makes an assessment go faster. Most cardiac nurses that I know like the ones sided Littmann for jsut that reason.

dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I · Jul 19, 2010

Take all of the above wisdom into consideration and try every 'scope you can get your hands on. Go with what works for you. I gave away a $150 Cardiology stethoscope because it had a short tubing. I'm 6'3" and use a 1 sided Littman with a long tubing. Works well for me.