Authors

  1. Dalbey, Susan DNP, RN
  2. Zenoni, Lisa PhD, RN, CRRN
  3. Fuller, Sherry DNP, RN, FNP-C

Article Content

Nursing students learn to auscultate normal and abnormal heart, lung, and abdominal sounds in the beginning of their nursing program. Students typically learn auscultation by having faculty listen to the sounds after their assessment or by simultaneously listening with a dual-headed stethoscope. Dual-headed stethoscopes require close proximity to the patient, faculty member, and student and the availability of faculty to be simultaneously present when students are practicing. Auscultating sounds after the initial assessment may influence the sound(s) heard by the faculty member. Technology on Bluetooth stethoscopes includes amplification and an application for use on an electronic device. With this technology, students can connect with the device and record and save information on their own smart devices, enabling discussion of abnormal findings at a later time. Amplification increases students' hearing of the intricacies of the different body systems, allowing them to hear better and interpret the findings. The Bluetooth application reinforces correct locations for auscultation and strengthens assessment techniques. Multiple implications for digital Bluetooth stethoscopes include using them in a simulation laboratory to program assessment findings for standardized patients to enhance a realistic clinical environment, employing the application on the smart device for students to see how the sound and the 1-lead electrocardiogram reading align, and programming abnormal auscultation findings for examples in assessment courses. Bluetooth stethoscopes also can be used during check offs for auscultating body sounds and recording assessment findings during clinical practice for review with the instructor at a later time.