Uses of a Stethoscope
Discover the many ways healthcare professionals use stethoscopes in diagnosis and care.
Introduction
The stethoscope is more than just a symbol of the medical profession — it’s a versatile diagnostic tool used in almost every area of healthcare. From evaluating chest sounds to measuring blood pressure, a stethoscope helps clinicians gather critical information without invasive tests.
New to stethoscopes? Read our guide: What is a Stethoscope?
1. Listening to Heart Sounds (Cardiac Auscultation)
This is one of the primary uses of a stethoscope. Doctors listen for:
- Heart rate and rhythm
- Heart murmurs
- Valve irregularities
Using the diaphragm side of a stethoscope (like on the Revival® SoundCraft), they can detect high-frequency heart sounds with clarity.
2. Listening to Lung Sounds (Pulmonary Auscultation)
Physicians listen to breath sounds to detect:
- Wheezing (asthma, bronchitis)
- Rales/crackles (pneumonia, fluid buildup)
- Absent or reduced breath sounds (collapsed lung)
Stethoscopes like the Revival® Acoustic are ideal for clear respiratory assessments.
3. Measuring Blood Pressure (BP Auscultation)
In manual BP measurement (using a sphygmomanometer), the stethoscope is used to detect Korotkoff sounds to determine systolic and diastolic pressure.
This is a standard practice in:
- Clinics
- Hospitals
- At-home nursing care
4. Bowel Sound Examination (Abdominal Auscultation)
Doctors and gastroenterologists use stethoscopes to hear:
- Hyperactive bowel sounds (diarrhea, GI infection)
- Hypoactive or absent sounds (obstruction, ileus)
5. Checking for Bruits (Vascular Sounds)
Stethoscopes help detect abnormal vascular sounds — bruits — often in the neck (carotid arteries), which may indicate restricted blood flow or risk of stroke.
6. Pediatric and Neonatal Assessments
Stethoscopes designed for children, like the Revival® Pediatric Stethoscope, are used for:
- Heart/lung exams in infants and toddlers
- Monitoring in NICUs and pediatric clinics
| Specialization | Common Use |
|---|---|
| General Practice | Heart, lungs, BP |
| Pediatrics | Child-specific auscultation |
| Cardiology | Detecting murmurs and rhythm disorders |
| Emergency Medicine | Rapid chest/lung exams in trauma cases |
| Nursing | Vital signs, bedside exams |
Find the Right Tool for the Job
Revival Surgicals offers stethoscopes tailored for each use-case:
- Revival® Dual Head – Great for switching between low and high frequencies
- Revival® SoundCraft – High-end acoustic clarity
- Revival® Pediatric – Specially made for small patients