Consider the Littmann Family of Choices in Picking the Best Stethoscope for Nurses

Whether you are a student, a doctor, a PA, an EMT or a nurse, you need the best quality stethoscope that you can afford. Why? Because not only (in the case of a student) might your grades depend upon your ability to hear your patients’ chest sounds with accuracy, but also because your patents’ lives just might depend upon your reception of clear and audible information! Simply put, all health care professionals should consider their purchase of a stethoscope with care as it is one of the most essential (and will be one of the most frequently used) pieces of equipment they will ever buy.

Although there are a number of inexpensive stethoscopes on the market, most professionals opt for one of the Littmann family of stethoscopes. Depending upon your role within the medical profession, one of the following stethoscopes is sure to fit your needs. Keep in mind that the best stethoscope for nurses is the one that fits the requirements of your particular job the best.
Littmann Lightweight II S.E. Stethoscope — This lightweight stethoscope is good for those who take blood pressure on a regular basis, and for general purpose nursing. It enables the user to clearly hear BP and lung function. The ear pieces are comfortable and seal out ambient noises. The chest piece switches from diaphragm to bell mode according to the amount of pressure it receives. Some people report difficulty in hearing apical pulses in some overweight persons with this scope.

Littmann Classic II Pediatric Stethoscope — Ideal for newborns and pediatric patients, this stethoscope features a two sided chest piece with a one inch floating diaphragm and a three-quarter inch bell. It provides superior acoustics and allows the user to isolate heart and lung sounds. It comes with a no chill ring to prevent the cold surface of the chest piece from startling young patients.

Littmann Classic II S.E. Stethoscope — With its comfortable and anatomically correct design, this solidly made stethoscope is the primary mid-level entry stethoscope of choice for almost all people entering a medical profession. It’s a great all-round stethoscope with excellent acoustic quality and will hold up for years of daily usage.

Littmann Master Classic II Stethoscope — A favorite among RNs and MDs alike, this is the stethoscope that permits you to hear in great detail all of the sounds in your patients’ lungs, bowels and heart. It fits comfortably within your pocket and isn’t too heavy to wear around your neck all day. It features the famous Littmann durability, and the ear pieces are soft, comfortable and provide a perfect seal from environmental noise. It employs a one sided chest piece with a tunable diaphragm.

Littmann Cardiology III Stethoscope — This is one of the best multi-purpose acoustic stethoscopes available for purchase today. The two sided chest piece gives accurate auscultation for both children and adults. The smaller, tunable diaphragm picks up murmurs easily, and is perfect for hearing carotid and femoral bruits. Dual lumen tubing prevents audible interference caused as by exterior tube rubbing.

Littmann Master Cardiology Stethoscope — This stethoscope is widely regarded as the cream of the crop. If hearing everything there is to be heard is important to you, this is your stethoscope. It’s more scope than you need if all you do is take blood pressures, but if you’re tasked with making independent decisions based upon your findings, or with intervention regarding patients with cardiopulmonary compromise, then you will be grateful time and again for the quality of audible information transmitted by this cutting-edge stethoscope.

There are more nurses in the world than probably any other medical professional, and a quality stethoscope is perhaps their most essential tool. A good stethoscope is a worthy investment in both your career and your patients. The best stethoscope for nurses is one that gives clear, unambiguous sound quality and which is rugged enough to serve you well for many years.