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Discussion

Stethoscopes

Hello, this is actually my first post here!

But anyway, I have done some searching online and nothing really seems to answer my question. I currently use my moms master cardiology steth, as soon as I started nursing school she happened to get a new job that no longer involves patient care, so lucky me. However, while I'm still learning I think it would be more beneficial to use a steth that allows me to see clearly when I am using the bell and/or the diaphragm. I was looking at some other littmans, but they all now seem to be tunable heads. Does anyone know if they still make non tunable stethoscopes? or any other decent manufacturers?

Thanks

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    Pretty much all of the very basic stethoscopes will have standard non-tunable diaphragms. The Littmann Light is one of them. I had a Classic II SE and it's diaphragm was tunable, but it had a bell side too. My Littmann Cardiology III can be converted to the "usual" diaphragm/bell configuration. Normally I just use it configured as an adult/pedi tunable diaphragm setup. Trust me on this: the cheap $12 diaphragm/bell stethoscopes will work just fine for doing "the basics" but if you're looking for very clear sounds, then they won't do as well.

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    • Author

    Great, thanks! Now, what about the ones where you can turn the head? Don't they go from like a standard bell/diaphragm to a pedes diaphragm? or are those also tunable?

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    • Experts

    Many of the lower-cost brands (Sprague-Rappaport, Prestige, Nurse Mates, etc) have bell & diaphragm pieces in which the head can be turned.

    I personally would use one of cheaper stethoscopes during nursing school because the more expensive brands (Littman and Ultrascope) have the tendency to grow legs and run away, especially when surrounded by flat-broke classmates.

    Once you graduate and receive your RN license, go out and purchase a pricey stethoscope as a well deserved graduation gift to yourself. Or ask a family member or friend to get you one as a graduation gift.

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    "The ones where you turn the head" - this just allows you to use the other side of the stethoscope. So those with a bell on one side and diaphragm on the other = listen with the diaphragm then flip the head around to listen with the bell.

    I got a Littman classic II (I believe) with separate bell and diaphragm for school. Didn't cost too much (maybe $60?) and did me well. I actually still have it but splurged and upgraded to the cardiology.....

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    • Author
    "The ones where you turn the head" - this just allows you to use the other side of the stethoscope. So those with a bell on one side and diaphragm on the other = listen with the diaphragm then flip the head around to listen with the bell.

    I got a Littman classic II (I believe) with separate bell and diaphragm for school. Didn't cost too much (maybe $60?) and did me well. I actually still have it but splurged and upgraded to the cardiology.....

    By that I meant the ones where it actually rotates on the tubing and it clicks into place. if that makes sense

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    By that I meant the ones where it actually rotates on the tubing and it clicks into place. if that makes sense

    That's what we're talking about. The dual-head steths twist the head and clicks into place. The way you tell if it's in the "right" place is to rotate it until you feel the click and then check the bell. If you see the hole then you're "listening" to the bell side. If you don't see the hole, then you're "listening" to the diaphragm side. Another way that I confirm this is to put the stethoscope in my ears and gently tap the diaphragm. If I clearly hear the tapping, it's set on the diaphragm side. If not, then it's either on the bell side or it's not fully rotated into the correct position, in which case I just rotate the head a bit more until it clicks and tap again...

    You're over-thinking this. Really. Go to a medical book store that caters to medical/nursing students and do a test-drive their stethoscopes. After a couple minutes of playing with them, it becomes almost self-explanatory. Medical supply stores that sell equipment will usually also sell stethoscopes but their selection may be limited... or expanded from what you'd see at a school-affiliated medical book store.

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    • Author
    That's what we're talking about. The dual-head steths twist the head and clicks into place. The way you tell if it's in the "right" place is to rotate it until you feel the click and then check the bell. If you see the hole then you're "listening" to the bell side. If you don't see the hole, then you're "listening" to the diaphragm side. Another way that I confirm this is to put the stethoscope in my ears and gently tap the diaphragm. If I clearly hear the tapping, it's set on the diaphragm side. If not, then it's either on the bell side or it's not fully rotated into the correct position, in which case I just rotate the head a bit more until it clicks and tap again...

    You're over-thinking this. Really. Go to a medical book store that caters to medical/nursing students and do a test-drive their stethoscopes. After a couple minutes of playing with them, it becomes almost self-explanatory. Medical supply stores that sell equipment will usually also sell stethoscopes but their selection may be limited... or expanded from what you'd see at a school-affiliated medical book store.

    overthinking. word. Thanks for the replies guys I appreciate it.

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