Stethoscopes?

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I'm a new grad in the midst of orientation on the medical floor of my local hospital. The stethoscope I have from school is a Littmann Light Weight Classic, I think it's the cheapest of the Littmanns. I'm having trouble hearing lung sounds with it for some reason. I want to get a different one, but something not too terribly expensive. What do you all recommend?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Uniform/scrubs and gear forum

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I have researched this but have no first hand ecperience. I am going to get the littman classic SE i think is what its called.

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I have researched this but have no first hand ecperience. I am going to get the littman classic SE i think is what its called.

That's the one I was thinking about getting also. I think its the next one up from what I have. I thought Littmann was supposed to be the best, that's why I was surprised to find that I can't hear as well with my Littmann as my old Prestige one that I had as a CNA. Ugh.

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Specializes in Orthopedic, LTC, STR, Med-Surg, Tele.

I have a Littman Classic II and I love it. I also had a Lightweight which I keep as a spare.

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I have a Littman Classic II and I love it. I also had a Lightweight which I keep as a spare.

Can you hear better with the Classic II? Did you find the Lightweight one harder to hear with?

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I have heard good things about prestige as well but more people prefer the littman. My school requires littman .

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Specializes in ICU.

Each person seems to have a personal preference. I personally just got a Master Cardiology that I really like. However it is more on the pricey side. Go into one of the uniform stores with a friend and try out a few by listening on him/her. I was able to find much better prices online at places like Lydia's Uniforms and All Heart.com. I would not order it until you have tried it to see if you like it though. I would also advise getting the tubing in a recognizable color (ie uncommon) and getting it engraved because they tend to walk off.

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Each person seems to have a personal preference. I personally just got a Master Cardiology that I really like. However it is more on the pricey side. Go into one of the uniform stores with a friend and try out a few by listening on him/her. I was able to find much better prices online at places like Lydia's Uniforms and All Heart.com. I would not order it until you have tried it to see if you like it though. I would also advise getting the tubing in a recognizable color (ie uncommon) and getting it engraved because they tend to walk off.

You're right, they do tend to walk off! Doctors are notorious for walking off with our stethoscopes at our hospital during rounds. Thanks for all the advice!

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

I did not like the Lightweight, very hard to hear with that scope. I used the Littmann Classic II SE during school and it was perfect.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.
You're right, they do tend to walk off! Doctors are notorious for walking off with our stethoscopes at our hospital during rounds. Thanks for all the advice!

Or get an ID tag for your stethoscope. But even with an engraving option/ID tag your scope still isn't safe lol. Your best bet is to not leave it lying around.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

The lightweight is a plastic piece of garbage. Get the Classic II SE or one of the other Littmann's.

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