Things That Define a Good Stethoscope for Nurses
For nurses, the stethoscope is as important as the medical uniform. It is a crucial component in helping you to diagnose and treat patients properly. It is also a device that conveys to the patients that you are reliable and trustworthy. This implies that regardless of your frequency of using it, a stethoscope, it is a great accessory to for a nurse.
Finding the best can, however, be quite a challenge if you are new to the medical field. You need something practical, professional and reliable. Selecting the best stethoscope for you comes down to determining your day-to-day needs. Below are features of good stethoscopes.
The Tube
The tube needs to be made of a thick material. This material is meant to provide insulation and also improve the transmission of sound. This is important for you as it will help you accurately hear the sounds from the stethoscope and make the right diagnosis of your patient. The length of the tube is also important. Longer tubes can be useful in some situation so getting a stethoscope with a long tube is wise.
Chest Piece
The best stethoscope will have the chest piece made of alloys of bronze or steel. This is important as steel helps you to ensure that the diaphragm fits with a tight seal. Because the stethoscope acts like a drum, any air leak can reduce the sound considerably, and you do not want this.
The Earpiece
Most stethoscopes have uncomfortable and hard earpieces. Using such stethoscopes for long can be painful. This is why when purchasing a stethoscope, you should make sure that it has soft ear pieces. The earpiece also needs to be angled in a manner that they comfortably nestle in your ears. This way you can work the stethoscopes for a long period of time. Check also the types of conforms that best suit the shape of your ear canals to keep out extraneous noises of your surgical unit. Ensure the tips can also be removed easily for cleaning and replacing.
Diaphragm
The diaphragm of your stethoscope needs to be made of high-quality material. Making sure that the material is flexible as well is vital. This will ensure that the device is durable and will also allow you to use it on patients with much ease.
As a nurse, you need the best stethoscope for your work. These are some of the things which define a good stethoscope.