stethoscopes?

LCRN · Feb 3, 2006

There are soooo many stethoscopes out there!!
what do you use as a nurse, do you love it, and why??
thanks for the help! :)
(we need a stethoscope for first term nursing classes!)

I would get a cheap stethoscope initially to make sure that nursing is for you. You'll learn a lot of likes and dislikes for this profession and at this point probably do not know what you want to specialize in (peds, ob/gyn, ER). I found my passion in ICU and use a Littman Master Cardiology which allows provides comfort and allows me to hear everything!!!

Hope this helps...

LCRN

clee1 · Feb 4, 2006

I would get a cheap stethoscope initially to make sure that nursing is for you. You'll learn a lot of likes and dislikes for this profession and at this point probably do not know what you want to specialize in (peds, ob/gyn, ER). I found my passion in ICU and use a Littman Master Cardiology which allows provides comfort and allows me to hear everything!!!
Hope this helps...
LCRN

I half-way disagree..... :rolleyes:

Don't spend the money (yet) on a Littman M/C, but avoid the plain-jane $12 models! :eek:

You're going to have a tough enough time hearing weak pulses, B/Ps, and differentiating bowel/lung sounds.

Get a Littman Select (I have this one) or a DRG Traditional for about $50. The slightly higher cost is WELL worth it.

tutusandfrogs · Feb 4, 2006

I will keep my eyes open for a littmann select... or a littmann classic II??

I guess I am really confused whether it's better if a stethoscope has double tubing or not??

Thx for the help guys!

clee1 · Feb 4, 2006

I will keep my eyes open for a littmann select... or a littmann classic II??
I guess I am really confused whether it's better if a stethoscope has double tubing or not??
Thx for the help guys!

Generally speaking, a double tube is better than a single tube. However, the higher end stethoscopes ARE double tubed w/i a single sheath - so just looking at them won't tell you much.

The Classic II is a fine stethoscope.

KatieBell · Feb 4, 2006

the classic II was what my school requested that we get, and I actually still use one (NO, not the same one, that one got lost).

Keep in mind, although Littman is a bit more expensive, they have a lifetime warrenty. My scope got trashed in the sand overseas, really trashed, I sent it back hoping for a repair and they indeed repaired it...gorgeously.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Feb 4, 2006

Ok, i'm going to completely disagree with what's been said here.

Expensive doesn't always mean better. There are people at this site that love their $14.99 Sprague, wouldn't have anoything else, and there are others that swear by other brands.

I would try the cheaper one first and see how it goes, if that doesn't work, then try another type. It would be a shame to spend over $100 on something, if $14.99 one wound up working better for you. So borrow other peoples', and listen with them before you purchase your own.

tutusandfrogs · Feb 5, 2006

can stethoscopes be "tested" before they are bought??

again, thx for all the help! :)

TexasPediRN · Feb 5, 2006

i have a littmann lightweight that is wonderful!

when you get the cheaper stethoscopes, you get what you pay for. i had 2 cheaper ones- the first one was lighweight, but i couldnt hear out of it. the 2nd one i could hear out of it, but it was so heavy around my neck that it hurt!

that 14.99 sprague that another person mentioned worked great, but was heavy.

thats why i love the littmann lightweight- i can hear from it, and its as the name says, lightweight- so that it doesnt hurt my neck.

as for testing stethoscopes, i dont think the store would let you, but i recommend trying out your friends or anyone else you know that has one.

good luck!

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Feb 5, 2006

Depends on the retailer (if you're going inot a store to buy one). But ask some people that have them if they would mind letting you listen with theirs. All you'd have to do is wipe it down with alcohol when you're done. This is wht i did. I didn't want to buy one on the word of others, because my hearing isn't the same as theirs.

csp33092 · Feb 7, 2006

I heard you should never lend your steth to a dr, you're likely to never see it again. Where I was doing clinicals my preceptor had a cheapo to lend out.