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What is the difference between a nurse and doctor stethoscope?
I’m going to buy a blood pressure monitor with stethoscope and I think it’s cheap, it is only $ 29, this stethoscope is bad? But I want to buy a Cardio III stethoscope Littmann in about two months but I want a Aneroid sphygmomanoter (blood pressure cuff) and it has stethoscope with it so you feel that this is bad? What is the difference between a doctor and a nurse stethoscope?
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#2 written by Pangolin 1 year ago
Them most important part of any stethoscope is the person to whom it is connected. With rare exception, any stethoscope, even the super cheap ones, will give you most of the information you need.
An excellent stethoscope is useless to an untrained listener, and a skilled physician can use most stethoscopes (unless you are listening for very subtle signs)
For taking BP’s, ANY stethoscope will work.
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#3 written by ToxLabRat 1 year ago
No there is not. A doctor can purchase the same type of general stethoscope as a nurse and vice versa.
Now there are differences in the quality of stethoscopes. I personally prefer the Littmann brand. You have to consider (especially if you are going to be new to this) ambient noise that will interfere with your hearing of internal sounds (I.e. heartbeat, breathing, etc,). So, some stethoscopes are made of higher quality materials and are just constructed in a better manner as to allow for the reduction of those interfering noises.
If you have an allowance from whatever med school you are going to and can afford it, then go with a Littmann. If you do not have an allowance and are having to buy it out of pocket and are on a budget, then look to Welch-Alyn.
Go to Allheart, they are having a sale on them now and I have purchased from them before and have been pleased with the service and the prices.
http://www.allheart.com/littmannstethoscopes.html
Although I do agree with Pangolin to in regards that an experienced user will be able to utilize any stethoscope (cheap or expensive) without issue, just as this is the same is true for any simple instrument. However, I have found that some of those who are not experienced can find it more helpful to have the higher end units that do offer some different material technology which make them drown out that ambient noise caused mainly be the inexperience. You could say that such a tool would keep you from learning, but all of my co-workers (nurses included) are using higher end instruments, so chances are you will end up with one regardless. Also, in my personal experience, the Littmann models do last longer. I have an emergency medical kit which I keep with me at all times, and do to the fact it is subject to some abuse, I have always stocked it with a cheap unit, and I have had to replace the scope several times. Just something to consider anyway. Everyone will have their own preferences. Maybe you can go to a store near you and have a listen to some of their demo models and see what you like the best.
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What purpose are you going to use the stethoscope for?
If you just want to measure blood pressure, then the common one is okay.
Nurses uses stethoscope mostly for blood pressure & few more things. They may use Littmann Classic one (http://www.mystethoscope.com/littmann-classic-stethoscope-p-131.html) or some common ones.
There are different stethoscopes, true. But the common one (I feel comfort with Littmann classic) can be okay for most of the doctors.
If you are a medical student, then the Littmann classic may be a good choice as first-timer. When I began my clinical classes, I bought a Littmann classic & another cheaper one. May be these are okay until I become some specialist in cardiology or respiratory medicine.
And in case of the Classic one, you can use the bell for pediatrics which you may not do with cardiac one.
You can look up in the following links. But I also did not get a better idea about the differences.