The Stethoscope

Question 0

What are the stethoscope ear tips made out of

Answer 0

Plastic, rubber, soft or hard. Many types and sizes available

Question 1

What is a stethoscope

Answer 1

An acoustical diagnostic instrument especially useful in the evaluation of heart and pulmonary sounds

Question 2

What should ear tips do

Answer 2

Be cleanable, replaceable and comfortable. Seal the outer ear canal without entering the canal

Question 3

In which direction should ear tips curve

Answer 3

Forwards

Question 4

Describe the ear tube or binaural headpiece

Answer 4

Distributes the sound to each ear, should hold ear tips at a comfortable distance apart. Tension should be adjustable to accommodate a variety of head sizes

Question 5

Describe the stethoscope tubing

Answer 5

Tubing should be flexible, smooth and thick walled to decreased ambient noise and improve sound transmission.

Question 6

What is the variety of lengths that stethoscope tubing comes in

Answer 6

14-18 and 25-30

Question 7

What are the two sound transmitted devices in the chest piece of a stethoscope

Answer 7

The diaphragm and the bell

Question 8

Describe the role of a diaphragm in the chest piece of a stethoscope

Answer 8

Detects mainly high-frequency sounds and attenuates low-frequency sounds when diaphragm is applied firmly to the skin of the thoracic cage. Breath sounds, normal heart sounds, and some murmurs.

Question 9

Describe the role of the bell in the chest piece of the stethoscope

Answer 9

Detects mainly low-frequency sounds, diastolic heart murmurs and bowel sounds. Apply lightly to skin if you press with too much pressure the underlying skin acts as a diaphragm that can mask low-frequency sounds

Question 10

Describe the relationship between capacity of the Bell and diaphragm to register sounds and diameter

Answer 10

Larger equals better. Size dictated by practical means and patient size.

Question 11

What are the two different arrangements that the bell and diaphragm can have

Answer 11

Two separate pieces, with one on either side of the chest-piece
Combined into a single sided chest-piece

Question 12

Describe how to use a one sided chest piece to pick up low and high frequency sounds

Answer 12

For the one sided chest piece a light pressure on the chest piece against the thoracic wall gives the effect of a bell and a firmer pressure converts it to a diaphragm

Question 13

How many heart sounds do hear when you listen to a normal heartbeat

Answer 13

2 heart sounds

Question 14

What is S one

Answer 14

Onset of ventricular Systole. Mitral and tricuspid valve’s close

Question 15

What is S 2

Answer 15

Termination of ventricular systole. Aortic and pulmonary valves close

Question 16

What is S3

Answer 16

Early diastole. Rapid ventricular filling

Question 17

What is S4

Answer 17

Just after atrial contraction and just before ventricular systole. Large amount of blood entering quickly

Question 18

What can you hear on the left side of the heart

Answer 18

Mitral valve, aortic valve, pulmonary valve

Question 19

What can you hear on the right side of the heart

Answer 19

Tricuspid valve

Question 20

How do you maintain the stethoscope

Answer 20

Can use soapy water or alcohol to wipe down surfaces. No steam sterilization. Ear tips can be removed for cleaning. Diaphragm can be removed to clean the chest piece

Question 21

What possible reason we have for not hearing anything through the stethoscope

Answer 21

It’s been turned to the other side, not in the right area, obstruction of ear tip