This article will let you know what stethoscopes do nurses use? A stethoscope is one of the essential tools in a nurses’ arsenal. Yes, it isn’t just doctors who use stethoscopes, but nurses are also expected to carry one of their own! It doesn’t only help them to monitor a patient’s condition over time, but is also often used in acute emergencies.
The uses of a stethoscope for a nurse are limitless. Having the right stethoscope at the right time can save lives. And so, it’s no wonder that the top-rated stethoscopes for nurses can often be quite a bit of investment.
Why Is Investing In A Good Quality Stethoscope A Good Idea?
However, we think that investing in a good quality stethoscope ultimately pays off in the end. Even if you are paying a little more than you first intended, a good stethoscope is never a worthless investment. Some time or the other, you are going to look back and be glad of your purchase. Just make sure that you know of the best places where to buy a stethoscope.
Let’s look at some of the benefits of having a premium quality stethoscope can give you.
It makes you a better paramedical
As a freshman, one often wonders what type of stethoscope to buy for medical school. Some say that you should go for a cheap one that you can easily afford. Others suggest purchasing the one with the best acoustics – even if it is a little pricey. Here is our take on this.
Investing in a quality stethoscope early on in your medical or nursing career is one of the smartest move ever. This is because having one that performs well will help you learn better on how to use a stethoscope correctly. It’s only when you can hear what you’re meant to hear that you can learn to identify those sounds. And once you can do that, you ultimately do a better job as a medical practitioner.
It saves you time and extra effort
Good quality stethoscopes are convenient to use and hence, can save you a lot of time. This becomes even more important in an acute emergency. Quick assessments can help you get your patients the right intervention at the right time.
It often proves to be much more economical in the long run
Though premium stethoscopes do tend to cost much more, they are often a cheaper option. They are more durable and will last you for a year to come. Hence, you will not have to purchase a new stethoscope every couple of years to replace the cheap one that stopped working.
What Stethoscopes Do Nurses Use?
Now we know why it is so important to be mindful of what stethoscope to use. But out of so many options, what type of stethoscope do nurses need? Most importantly, do these differ from what kind of stethoscopes do doctors use?
Different kinds of stethoscopes exist to be used for various reasons. Usually, they are categorized by the department you work in. Let us discuss a few different types of stethoscopes that are popular with nurses.
Cardiology stethoscope
“Can stethoscopes detect heart attack?”
“Can stethoscopes detect heart problems?”
If these are the questions that plague your mind, the answer is yes. As long as it’s the correct type of stethoscope, it can detect any irregular heart sounds. In this way, proper stethoscope use can even prevent heart attacks.
The stethoscope of choice for these concerns is a cardiology stethoscope. Other than cardiologists, it is used by nurses who work in the emergency care department. Since they are exceptionally good at detecting even the most subtle of heart murmurs, they make a good option here.
The 3M Littmann Master Cardiology Stethoscope is a good contender in this category. With a tunable diaphragm, it saves you precious time during quick assessments. Although admittedly costly, the performance makes up for the extra money you have to spend.
Pediatric stethoscope
Another necessary stethoscope type is a pediatric stethoscope. Like the name tells you, it is specially designed to be used on small children.
How is a pediatric stethoscope different from the classic stethoscope we use on adults? Well, they are pretty similar, really – except for one crucial feature. The chest piece on a pediatric stethoscope is much smaller than on an adult stethoscope.
The small chest piece allows for a more accurate placing on a small child’s body. Therefore, it is much easier to detect the exact point where a particular sound is originating. This helps a medical officer or nurse to precisely diagnose the ailment of a young patient.
A noteworthy pediatric stethoscope is the ADC Adscope Adimals 618 Paediatric Stethoscope. This ergonomic stethoscope is incredibly accurate in its sound transmission. What’s more, is that it is also available in many attractive colors that intrigue children. The various cute animal attachments also help to diffuse a child’s fear of going to the doctor.
Infant stethoscope
As you may have probably already guessed, an infant stethoscope is an even smaller version of the pediatric stethoscope. The chest piece is so minimal that the bell only measures three fourth of an inch in diameter.
This makes it the perfect tool to correctly assess the heart and lung sounds of a newly born infant. Usually, the headset on this type of stethoscope is also specially designed to be ultra-comfortable. Most will be super lightweight to ensure the maximum comfort level of the wearer and the patient.
An excellent option to go for in this category is the 3M Littmann Classic II Infant Stethoscope. The ergonomic design makes it incredibly lightweight and comfortable even in prolonged use.
It also values the patient’s comfort by having a non-chill rim on the chest piece. This ensures that your tiny patient does not get startled or shocked during an examination. Of course, along with maximum comfort, this Littmann stethoscope also offers exceptional sound quality.
How to find the best stethoscope?