Stethoscopes for nurses can be a vital tool to perform everyday work tasks. The stethoscope is mainly used for listening to the internal sounds of an animal or human body. Selecting the right stethoscope expands assessment skills and benefits patients by contributing to quality patient care. Nurses of all experience levels must use good quality stethoscopes.
Best Stethoscopes For Nurses
ADC Adscope Cardiology Stethoscope
ADC Adscope Cardiology Stethoscope uses light pressure for low frequencies, and firm pressure for high frequencies. It features dual-channel phthalate-free tubing and large-bore 18k titanium gold plated stainless steel binaural. This model also features snap-on silicone ear tips for the ultimate in-wearing comfort.
3M Littmann Stethoscope
3M Littmann Stethoscope delivers the highest acoustic performance along with a handcrafted, eye-catching design. The two-in-one tube design of this model eliminates noise interference from two external tubes rubbing together. It can be easily adjusted for head size and comfort by squeezing together or pulling apart the ear tubes.
MDF Rose Gold ProCardial Cardiology Stethoscope
MDF Rose Gold ProCardial Cardiology Stethoscope comes in durable stainless steel material. Its dual-leaf spring construction offers twice the durability. This stethoscope is anatomically angled at 15 degrees for a precise fit.
3M Littmann Classic III Monitoring Stethoscope
3M Littmann Classic III Monitoring Stethoscope’s reviews mark that it detects normal and abnormal sounds and rhythms. It is ideal for medical offices, general wards, OB/GYN ambulatory clinics, or urgent care. The soft-sealing ear-tips of this stethoscope provide optimal comfort and excellent sound occlusion.
PARAMED Stethoscope
PARAMED Stethoscope offers high-quality material that makes it durable. This dual head stethoscope provides reliable results. This model also features a replacement soft ear tip that allows for improving the sound quality.
MDF Rose Gold Stethoscope
The customer reviews of the MDF Rose Gold Stethoscope claim that it is made of high-quality stainless steel that makes it durable. This model comes with an angled head that offers a more precise fitting. This stethoscope is latex-free which makes it safe to use.
Types Of Stethoscopes For Nurses
Triple Head
Triple head stethoscopes are relatively uncommon and are primarily used in cardiology settings. It is specifically created to accentuate important sounds and enable you to hear cardiac, pulmonary, and vascular sounds without depending on difficult variable pressure techniques.
Dual Head
It means both sides of the stethoscope head can be utilized for auscultation (listening), which allows you to hear a more expansive range of sounds when you are listening to a person’s heart, lungs, or bowels.
Single Head
These types of stethoscopes use just one side for listening, which may mean you miss a few of the highest or lowest tones. These stethoscopes have a pressure-sensitive tunable head that functions as both a diaphragm and bell depending on the applied pressure.
Factors To Consider Before Buying Stethoscopes For Nurses
Thickness
The thickness of the tubing is necessary because it helps block out other noises when you’re listening to your patient. A quality stethoscope should be thicker and heavier to wear around the neck.
Size
When considering the size of a stethoscope, there are a few measurements to take into consideration. First of all, you want to pay attention to the chest piece because that part is what will be gathering up the sounds from your patient population. Pediatric patients will need a smaller chest piece compared to the adult population. Some stethoscopes come with a chest piece with bells on each end, letting you cater to a larger patient population.
Sound Quality
It should come as no surprise that sound quality is an essential consideration to take into account when buying a stethoscope. Nurses and medical professionals normally invest in more pricey stethoscopes that have higher sound quality.
Durability
Medical specialists and nurses often wear the stethoscope around their neck for easy access, especially given how much they use the device during a shift. Durability is imperative so you can use your device for years with it on the job without requiring to replace it. This durability comes with the kind of materials used as well as the thickness of the tubing on your scope.
Fit For Profession
A cardiology nurse may require different features in a stethoscope than a pediatric nurse or an ER nurse. Electronic stethoscopes are also available on the market to gather multiple frequencies as well as sounds. Overall, all of these devices are designed to aid a medical professional, so taking your profession into account is important when choosing the best scope for you.
Do More Expensive Stethoscopes For Nurses Have Better Quality?
It is not necessary that only expensive stethoscopes offer high quality. Some medium-priced models also have great quality. Medical professionals, as well as nurses, should invest in stethoscopes that offer clear sound and performance.
Conclusion
A stethoscope is an essential device since it helps you check your patients and diagnose them. Your stethoscope needs to be efficient, high performing, and completely reliable as an error in performance can lead to dire consequences in the patient’s life. That is why selecting the right stethoscope is indeed a big deal.
AESA rates and reviews hundreds of best stethoscopes and top medical stethoscope accessories on the basis of their sturdiness, size, and sound output.
