What You Need to Know About the Stethoscope as a Nursing Student

The stethoscope is essential equipment for a nursing student. It is a tool that is used to assess a patient’s conditions and can also measure blood pressure when used with a sphygmomanometer. There are many options available, making it confusing to decide the type of stethoscope you need, or even how or where to purchase it.

If you are a nursing student pursuing top nursing program in Canada, spending a lot of money on a stethoscope isn’t necessary. A decent one will also serve your purposes. Here are the top makes and models of stethoscopes for nursing students:

• Littmann Lightweight
• Littmann Classic II S.E.
• Littmann Pediatric
• Littmann Master Classic II
• Littmann Cardiology III

Planning to buy a stethoscope? Here are other factors you should consider –

• Cost – This is one of the most important factors a nursing student needs to consider when purchasing a stethoscope. You can find many good and affordable options that will offer all of the necessary features that a nursing student may require.

• Quality – The quality of the stethoscope is another important consideration. Make sure that the stethoscope is sturdy for continuous heavy use, cleanable, and has good acoustics. Apart from this, the earpieces should be comfortable to wear and the tubing from the headset to the chest piece should be at least 15 inches long.

Benefits of Buying a Good Stethoscope   There are many benefits of buying a good-quality stethoscope. Some of them are –

• Acoustics –Clear, excellent acoustics are necessary to properly assess blood pressure, heart rate, and other digestive noises. A good stethoscope will help you get an accurate assessment for proper diagnosis and treatment.

• Comfort – There’s no need to put yourself in an uncomfortable  or painful situation when using a stethoscope. Before making your purchase, check the ear tips and ensure that it doesn’t hurt to use the stethoscope.
• Ease of use – Good stethoscopes are easy to use. However, make sure to avoid purchasing one that needs frequent adjustments or tuning of the diaphragms.

How to Take Good Care Of Your Stethoscope

After investing your money into a quality stethoscope, it’s important to maintain and take good care of it so the stethoscope works well for a long time.

Here are some tips that can help keep your stethoscope in a good condition.

• Do not sterilize it.
• Clean it frequently.
• Check the earpieces for dust or debris.
• Avoid exposing it to extreme hot or cold.

Based on the aforementioned information, choosing the best stethoscope while you are studying Nursing Courses in Canada for International Nurses should no longer be difficult. However, make sure you buy a good one, as it will be an invaluable investment for your future.

If you are a nurse graduate and want to specialize in your choice of specialty, INSCOL offers Specialized Nursing Programs in countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the US. To learn about the available programs, visit the website: INSCOL