What stethoscope did you buy?

megamoo1979 · Aug 11, 2004

i just got the littman cardiology iii as a gift. i used the littman select ( i think it's the cheapest littman you can get) and it was okay, but the cardiology iii is so much better! i can't wait to use it in clinical.

hospicemom · Aug 11, 2004

Here's an honest concern from a soon-to-be-nursing-student: You all mentioned other people (docs, instructors, etc.) BORROWING your steths, what do you all CLEAN the ear pieces off with after they used them? Would it be insulting to clean it right after the person hands you the steth back?
I'm sorry, sharing ear germs just kind of turns my stomach

well, good old alcohol wipes work........and yes, I wipe the ear pieces off as well as the diapram and bell after all skin contact with anyone......do I wipe it off right in front og the doc? no I dont......would you?

#1rnstudent · Aug 11, 2004

I don't see a problem with cleaning your stethoscope in front of other people. I clean mine in front my patients, so why not in the presence of other students, nurses, doctors, etc.? It shows you care enough to clean it and assures your patient that you are not spreading germs. Same thing with washing your hands in front of them.

nikonos · Aug 12, 2004

I went with the Master Classic II and I love it. I had a hard time hearing out of my classmates' Lightweights and Classic IISE but I really like the diaphragm design on the Master Classic. If you go Littman visit allheart otherwise you're pretty much going to pay more than you should and remember, getting your name engraved on the tubing only deters theft of your theft, it doesn't prevent it....guard it with your life.

JoniL&DRN · Oct 18, 2004

Speaking of engraving.. if you are having your steth engraved for nursing school.. what did you have put on it? Since you aren't an RN.. did you just have your name? Just curious. I'd like to have mine engraved before school (to protect it from being walked away with)...

aegirl · Oct 18, 2004

Do you recommend getting a good stethoscope for clinicals? I was thinking of getting the Littman Cardiology III, but I hear people saying to just get a cheapie for clinicals. Would you recommend the Cardiology III or the lightweight? Engraved or no? Also, what do you do if a doctor or nurse asks to borrow your stethoscope? Do you allow them to and what do you say to them if not? Thanks

MaggieJo · Oct 18, 2004

Just a little note from someone with experience of a stolen steth. :uhoh3: sigh... I had been given a double lumen stethoscope from a family friend when I started nursing school. Two weeks ago during clinicals, I laid it down in the breakroom when I was eating. I forgot to pick it up, and next thing I know, I hear a doc saying he forgot his stethoscope and was going to "look around for one". Needless to say, I never saw my stethoscope again, and I don't know the doc's name. I have called that floor to see if anyone has seen it, but alas, no one has.... So, moral of the story. GUARD YOUR STETHOSCOPE WITH YOUR LIFE, AND NEVER, EVER LAY IT DOWN!!!!!!! :rolleyes: Anyway, I've had to borrow :chuckle my friends stethoscopes while in lab, and they all have the Littman classic II. I swear, I couldn't hear anything out of them, so I bought the Littman Cardiology III online, and I had my full name engraved on the tubing. (BTW, the tubing is burgendy, so I can see it at all times!!) I haven't received it yet, but when I do, I'll let you know if it's good. It should be, because I sure paid enough for it!!! -Maggie

cb0027 · Oct 18, 2004

Littman Master Cardio. I received it as a gift. Wonderful just wonderful.

nikonos · Oct 19, 2004

Do you recommend getting a good stethoscope for clinicals? I was thinking of getting the Littman Cardiology III, but I hear people saying to just get a cheapie for clinicals. Would you recommend the Cardiology III or the lightweight? Engraved or no? Also, what do you do if a doctor or nurse asks to borrow your stethoscope? Do you allow them to and what do you say to them if not? Thanks

I would get the cheapest scope that you can get by with and still be able to hear out of it. When I went shopping before clinicals started I tried 15 or 20 different ones before I found one that I felt comfortable using. The Cardio is awesome, but it is also a good deal of money to throw down on your first scope. Adscope makes one in the $20 range that several of my classmates are using this semester and they have nothing but good things to say about it. Shop around and try before you buy.

And as far as people asking to borrow your personal stethoscope, just tell them that you don't lend your scope out. They'll either move on to someone else or comment on your rudeness at which point you get to lecture them on the finer points of paying off your $100 VISA bill that paid for that scope and how they played no part in it. You paid for it, it belongs to you, and if you don't want anyone else using it...don't let them.

bumpkittynurse · Oct 23, 2004

How about using the ones that don't have a separate bell on the other side and you just use different pressure for high and low-pitched sounds? It's the cheapest littman on allheart and my emt friends use it and my lab instructor said it was fine, but the class coordinator pooh-poohed it. My first clinical's this week and I really don't want to buy a new one!

cb0027 · Oct 23, 2004

I did not run into any problems with using a single bell stethoscope. I have the littman master cardio. I had a cheap scope when I first began but the ear pieces just killed my ears, in addition I could not hear a thing. I love the my cardio.

sbwhite88 · Oct 23, 2004

I got an Ultrascope because I couldn't hear a thing out of the other ones that I had tried. I absolutely love it! I can hear so well out of it. Definitely recommend - you can find them from about $80-$100.