It is no secret that access to a good stethoscope is critical to a nurse's daily working needs.  With so many available in the market, one might think that it can be difficult to decide which stethoscope is the most effective.  However the decision isn't that difficult at all: with a little bit of knowledge, it can be quite obvious that a Littmann stethoscope is the best option for a nurse today.

A stethoscope is a medical acoustic device that is used for listening to the internal sounds of the human body, which is highly important when examining a patient's circulatory, respiratory or gastrointestinal system.  Stethoscopes are also used on pregnant women to examine the heartbeats of the fetus.

There are several types of stethoscopes nurses can use when examining their patients:

Acoustic - The most common type of stethoscopes, acoustic stethoscopes function by using an air-filled hollow tube that is attached to the chest piece in one end and earpieces in the other end.  The chest piece consists of a diaphragm on one side that transmits a higher frequency sound, and a bell on the other side that transmits a lower frequency sound.

Electronic - Electronic stethoscopes amplify body sounds so that they are easier to hear through the earpieces.  They convert the acoustic sound waves to electronic signals which allow for the amplification, as well as the attenuation of the higher and lower frequency range sounds.  Many electronic stethoscopes also have a noise reduction feature, which filters any unwanted noises so that the body sounds are easier to listen to.

Recording - Recording stethoscopes have the ability to record direct audio output.  This allows for repeat or further examinations of the body sounds, which can be a great benefit to the health professional preparing a medical report or consultation meeting.

Fetoscope - Otherwise known as a fetal stethoscope, a fetoscope is uniquely shaped to allow for the examination of the heartbeat of a fetus by placing it against a pregnant woman's abdomen.

All of these features listed above can be found in Littmann stethoscopes.  The Littmann stethoscope has received critical acclaim for its precision, quality and accuracy, and has been the leading stethoscope in the market since Dr. David Littmann first created it in 1963.  Littmann stethoscopes come in various types and models as can be required by any nurse.  On top if it all, the cost of purchasing a Littmann stethoscopes is similar to any other stethoscope.

For more information on Littmann stethoscopes and how you can purchase one, please go to https://firstaidzone.ca/.