The Stethoscope Flashcards
What are the stethoscope ear tips made out of
Plastic, rubber, soft or hard. Many types and sizes available
What is a stethoscope
An acoustical diagnostic instrument especially useful in the evaluation of heart and pulmonary sounds
What should ear tips do
Be cleanable, replaceable and comfortable. Seal the outer ear canal without entering the canal
In which direction should ear tips curve
Forwards
Describe the ear tube or binaural headpiece
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
Describe the stethoscope tubing
Tubing should be flexible, smooth and thick walled to decreased ambient noise and improve sound transmission.
What is the variety of lengths that stethoscope tubing comes in
14-18 and 25-30
What are the two sound transmitted devices in the chest piece of a stethoscope
The diaphragm and the bell
Describe the role of a diaphragm in the chest piece of a stethoscope
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.
Describe the role of the bell in the chest piece of the stethoscope
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
Describe the relationship between capacity of the Bell and diaphragm to register sounds and diameter
Larger equals better. Size dictated by practical means and patient size.
What are the two different arrangements that the bell and diaphragm can have
Two separate pieces, with one on either side of the chest-piece
Combined into a single sided chest-piece
Describe how to use a one sided chest piece to pick up low and high frequency sounds
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
How many heart sounds do hear when you listen to a normal heartbeat
2 heart sounds
What is S one
Onset of ventricular Systole. Mitral and tricuspid valve’s close
What is S 2
Termination of ventricular systole. Aortic and pulmonary valves close
What is S3
Early diastole. Rapid ventricular filling
What is S4
Just after atrial contraction and just before ventricular systole. Large amount of blood entering quickly
What can you hear on the left side of the heart
Mitral valve, aortic valve, pulmonary valve
What can you hear on the right side of the heart
Tricuspid valve
How do you maintain the stethoscope
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
What possible reason we have for not hearing anything through the stethoscope
It’s been turned to the other side, not in the right area, obstruction of ear tip
