How do you keep your stethoscope safe?

Do not expose your stethoscope to extreme heat or cold. Store your stethoscope away from direct sunlight as continuous exposure will harden its tubing. Do not place/keep your stethoscope near solvents and oils. Do not place heavy objects on your stethoscope as it could excessively warp or bend.

Where do nurses keep their stethoscope?

The most likely place that you’ll find a stethoscope stashed is in a scrubs pocket. Most scrubs have pockets large enough to hold a stethoscope and if you want some extra options, get a pair of scrub cargo pants.

How do I keep my stethoscope from tubing hard?

Wearing the stethoscope around the neck may cause stiffening of the tubing over time. If worn around the neck, we recommend trying not to let it come in contact with skin by wearing under a collar. It is also recommended that the tubing is treated with a vinyl protector such as Armor All® Protector once a month.

Where do you keep your stethoscope?

Leave your stethoscope in its natural position without folding or twisting it, if you can. For instance, place it in its natural position in a desk or cabinet drawer or in your locker. Keep your stethoscope out of direct sunlight, if you can. A lot of sunlight can damage the stethoscope over time.

What do nurses wear around their neck?

A stethoscope is the device that doctors and nurses use to listen to your heartbeat. Many medical workers walk around wearing stethoscopes around their necks.

Where do you hold a stethoscope?

Holding the Stethoscope for Use: You should hold the chest piece between the index and middle fingers of your dominant hand. You should not grip the chest piece with the tips of your fingers since this can create extra noise. You should also keep your thumb under the tube to prevent it from rubbing against the skin.

How do you make a stethoscope less stiff?

Although some medical professionals find that rubbing a vinyl protectant on the tubing once a month helps reduce the stiffening effect, many stethoscope manufacturers advise against using oils or solvents.

How can I make my stethoscope more comfortable?

Insert the tips as they point slightly away from you. The positioning produces a slight anchor that keeps them in place. Keep the stethoscope at a 15-degree angle. The earpieces should point towards the bridge of your nose at this point.

Why don’t you wear your stethoscope around your neck?

You don’t wear it around your neck because it carries bacteria. Ever hear of a doctor with a MRSA abscess on the back of their neck b/c of their stethoscope? It definitely happens. Keep it in your pocket or wipe it down often (note: alcohol wipes can break down the rubber over time).

How do you listen to a patient through a stethoscope?

Sometimes simply lifting your heels is sufficient. If you need to, shut the whole truck down so you don’t have to listen over the engine rumble. For hard to hear breath sounds, listen in the axillary region and press the patient’s arm down over the stethoscope to block ambient noise.

How do you use a double sided stethoscope?

Turn the stethoscope’s head to the correct side. If you are using a double-sided scope, the head will turn on a pivot that will allow the sound to travel from the operating side to the cord or tube. Check your owner’s manual to learn how to determine which side is activated.

How can I prevent hearing loss when using a stethoscope?

Make sure your ears are clean. Ear wax blockages are one of the most common causes of hearing loss. If you keep your stethoscope in your pants pocket, make sure that lint and dirt hasn’t clogged the earpieces. Also bear in mind that stethoscopes are a potential vector disease transmission — disinfect it after every patient.