Which stethoscope should I get?!

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  1. Which stethoscope would be best?

    • 2
      Classic III
    • 5
      Cardiology IV
    • 2
      Master Cardiology

9 members have participated

I'm sure this has been asked a ton of times but I'm a new grad RN (about 7 months in) working in critical care. I have a Littmann Classic II S.E. that I started nursing school with but I'm a little hard of hearing in one ear & realizing that I'm struggling with lung/heart sounds pretty frequently now.

I've heard so many different opinions from coworkers. Still looking for a Littmann but not sure if I should get the Classic III, Cardiology IV or Master Cardiology?

Any advice would help!! Thank you!

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Taydoy, there's a forum here (under the nurses tab maybe?) dedicated to nursing gear. I have seen many stethoscope reviews there that can help you guide your decision.

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I use the cardiology IV. I hear much better through it vs. the basic littman I got after graduation. A lot better. I work in a CVICU and was having trouble distinguishing some heart/lung sounds so I borrowed my friends cardiology IV. Night and day difference. I went out to a local uniform shop the next morning after work and got one. I will say that you should buy the scope online as I paid 50% more in a shop than i would have online. I don't know what the policies might be here for promoting websites, but it should be easy to find.

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I have a 3100 and Classic III, but recently purchased a Cardiology IV for a good friend. 3100 is great, some sounds don't sound right to me and can sometimes make recognition difficult, but I can hear diminished lung sounds much better then with a standard. Classic III is an alright entry level stethoscope, but on occasion I miss some sounds or have trouble hearing lung sounds on certain patients. The Cardiology IV was hands down my favorite stethoscope due to the dual tunable diaphragms which makes it great for pediatric and adult populations. However, with you being in a CVICU, I doubt you see any pediatric patients. You can convert the pediatric side to a standard bell. Each stethoscope has their benefits and some work better for certain people. Ask around and trial a few stethoscopes and find out which one works best for you.

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