title: Using a stethoscope in clinical practice in the acute sector.
abstract: Unlike doctors and physiotherapists, nurses do not learn to use stethoscopes as part of their normal training. This is mostly a post-registration skill, often taught in critical care courses. Yet the stethoscope is an invaluable tool in the assessment of heart, lung and abdominal sounds. This paper looks at when and how stethoscopes can contribute to patient care.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Frimley Park Hospital, Surrey.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Neill
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D004506:Education, Nursing; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000379:methods*; D019023:Stethoscopes