To all nurses, doctors, EMTs, et al. - Stethoscope question.

[KateVrroom]

Excuse me , offense taken!
I believe i said other senses, since when did looking at color or feeling for pulses and checking cap refill become a sixth sense?
Look, you've gotten lots of opinions to take. Do what is right for you. I feel a standard littman that you can hear breath sounds well with and heart sounds well with will do you fine, no need to spend lots of cash if you are struggling right now.

[BlownSS]

I have been a medic for 18 years and have worked ER, Field ems and flight care. I can tell you that from what you are expected to recognize, the Littmans are the only way to go and the 2's and 3's are good. As some have brought up, as long as you know what you are looking for as far as lung and heart/ bowel sounds....they should suffice for what you need. I have a master cardiology 2 SE. I can hear mitral regurgitation on the road in the back of an ambulance.......They all take time to get used to.

[brandotron]

Originally Posted by KateVrroom

Excuse me , offense taken!
I believe i said other senses, since when did looking at color or feeling for pulses and checking cap refill become a sixth sense?
Look, you've gotten lots of opinions to take. Do what is right for you. I feel a standard littman that you can hear breath sounds well with and heart sounds well with will do you fine, no need to spend lots of cash if you are struggling right now.

My dad has a congenital heart defect and he goes into atrial fibrillation on a whim. He also had a stroke last year--hey, he's getting old. Point is that I've been to the ER probably 10 times in the last few years and I've seen a lot of doctors. When I meet an ER doc that can "tell what's wrong by looking at him", that come across as jaded, rushed, and apathetic.

My $0.02.

[Milk 1027]

Originally Posted by KateVrroom

Excuse me , offense taken!
I believe i said other senses, since when did looking at color or feeling for pulses and checking cap refill become a sixth sense?
Look, you've gotten lots of opinions to take. Do what is right for you. I feel a standard littman that you can hear breath sounds well with and heart sounds well with will do you fine, no need to spend lots of cash if you are struggling right now.

It wasn't directed towards you. It was directed towards the person who hasn't been using one. There's nothing wrong with using a stethescope along with your other senses, but not using one at all is just a lack of doing your job properly.

That's just my opinion, and I'll back off now before I have to ban myself.

[Xanthos]

Thanks for all the advice! Ended up going with the Master Classic II after talking to my instructor about it. I'll get a pediatrics scope for my jump bag after I finish my training and get into the field.

Mods, this thread can be closed now.
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