stethoscopes

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Specializes in oncology.

Hi,

I just started an Accelerated BSN program, and my lab instructor recommended that we go out and get a "GOOD" stethoscope, spending about $100. This caused a little debate among my classmates (some are CNAs). I was hoping someone might be able to suggest a either a good brand or model, and whether or not need to spend that much.

Thanks!!!

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Specializes in Pediatrics Only.

I have a littmann lightweight and I love it. Cost me about 45$ and it works great!

Find what works best for you- the 100$ stethoscope doesnt work well for everyone.

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Specializes in Med/Surg ICU, NICU.

I had a $100.00 stethoscope and couldn't hear diddly with it. I bought a 25.00 Sprague(sp) and can hear a lot better. I think it just depends on the person.

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Specializes in CNA- LTC(loathe it tho).

depends on the person i think.. i had a cheapo 10$ steth and it was ok. i now have an 100$ littman and it works beautifully. i can hear sooo much more, it is louder and clearer than the cheapo. i can hear in a crowded loud room with no probs outta the littman but the cheapo it had to be absoultely silent. plus the earbuds for the littman are sooo much more comfortable!... so just depends on the person :)

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Specializes in Ortho/Neuro.

i have a littman master classic ii and am very satisfied with it. i paid around $90.

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Specializes in oncology.

thanks so much for all of your replies! its confusing with all of the choices....so i appreciate your help :)

~sarah

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Specializes in Pediatric ICU.

I have the lightweight Littman and love it. I had a Sprague and couldn't hear anything with it. Go to allheart.com .... they have good prices. However, you might want to go to a uniform store/nursing store and try out some of the models and then buy it online. I could have saved about $10 on mine if I had gone through allheart. Also, I agree that the earbuds are SOOOOO much more comfortable on the Littman.

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I have a littman and i love it. It cost me about 70-80 dollars.

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Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.

I agree that Littman is a good choice for a stethoscope, and they have many models (some reasonable, some a little more expensive) to choose from. Don't let "recommended" scare you into getting something that will not work well for you or will put a strain on your budget.

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

For Fundamentals we all had cheapo Sprauges ($17) and they worked fine for blood pressures, lung sounds, etc.

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I use a Littman classic III I think, it was around $65 and works great.

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Can all steths be used for adults as well as Peds? All the Littmans that I have seen said that they were for adults except for the Cardiology III that said it has a side for each. I do not know ANYTHING about them but I have to buy one. Can someone tell me which ones other than the Cardiology III can be used for adults and peds. I am so confussed. Also what is high and low frequency?

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