sthoscopes

[pcacj]

My sister has just begun nursing school and has asked for a stethoscope for Christmas. Found some cheap ones on AllHeart.com and Stethoscope.com. Are these good enough or do I have to spend $110+ dollars...thanks

[BMS4]

The one I used all the way through nursing school was about twenty bucks. It worked fine. I do have a nicer one now, got it for graduation. :)

[Forevermomof5]

If you can get by with a $20 stethoscope more power to you. It is my opinion however, that you get what you pay for. I think I spent about $100 on mine and there are times when I wish I had one that another student has that cost almost $200. If I'm going to be tested on bowel sounds or heart sounds, I want to know what I am hearing.

Just my 2 cents!

[natsfanrn]

Make sure to check with her school before buying anything. Our school requires steths with dual heads (adult and ped side) and no side-by-side tubes. And believe it or not, they do NOT allow the kind that are sold in the school bookstore! I myself would rather spend the extra $ and get something that will last and that will make hearing sounds as easy as possible. Just received my Littmann Cardio III (less than $120 from reddingmedical.com) earlier this week, and I love it!

[Gromit]

I have a small hearing problem (due to being around loud noises -loud motorcycles (grin -but I run baffles now. they are still loud, but not ear-splitting) and target practice when I was young (not wearing ear muffs or plugs). I find that the lower-end Littmann scopes (I use a Classic II) works very well, and won't break the bank. I stear clear of the Spragues. The twin-hoses just add noise to whatever you want to hear. A good scope is very helpful, but don't go and pay a ton, because if its lost (and hospitals are great places for scopes to take a walk) then you're out a bit of bread.

Also, I advise getting a scope that has the diaphram AND the bell. Each has its purpose (detecting different range of sounds).