What Stethoscope to Buy For Peds?

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

Hi, I start on a peds floor last month and would like to purchase a stethoscope. I'm not sure if I should get a peds specific one or not though, because my floor specilizes in teenagers. If I had an adult steth would I still be able to hear the babies ok, when we get overflow? I really have a crappy steth right now, so I'm sure anything would be an improvement. :)

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

I work mother/baby and so understand your predicament. There are a few options. I have a sprague style steth so I can turn the bell one way to hear adults and the other to listen to the babies. Or you can have a separate one for each.

You could have an adult size that you use for all your pts. You'd still be able to hear the babies, but I've found that I can differentiate breath sounds from heart sounds better with a pedi or neonatal steth. Also is better for distinguishing murmurs.

So it's really your call. :)

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Specializes in Pediatric critical care.

I just started in PICU and one of the nurses who just came orientation told me that she wouldn't advise getting a pediatric stethoscope until you know that it is really the speciality for you and that you are going to stay there. She had a Littmann II SE and I purchased that one as well. She said that she hears fine with it. I start on the floor this week so I don't have an opinion yet. Also, initially, I bought that same stethoscope from a uniform shop and it was like 90.00 with tax it was 94.96, and I found it cheaper online so I returned it and ordered it off Jasco uniform for about 67 bucks and I got it personalized and that was like 15 extra and with the shipping and stuff it was like 92 something. Just letting you know to shop around and look at different prices before you purchase. You may find the same thing for less

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

I've worked PICU for 11 years and I don't have a pediatric stethoscope. I do ave a Littmann II SE in breast-cancer-awareness pink that I bought from a website. I've used it on 2 kg neonates and it does the job very well. Once you have some experience auscultating infant chests it gets easier to identify those referred sounds.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

Wow, thanks alot for all your input. :)

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