Question

Where should the leads of an EKG be placed if patient is known to have dextrocardia (condition in which the apex of the heart is oriented towards the patient's right side)?

Answer 1

For an ECG on a patient with dextrocardia, electrodes are placed in a mirror-image across the chest and limb leads may be adjusted, ensuring accurate cardiac activity representation.

Step-by-step explanation:

When performing an electrocardiogram (ECG) on a patient with dextrocardia, the placement of the leads is mirror-imaged across the mediastinum to ensure accurate readings. Normally, in a 12-lead ECG, six electrodes are placed on the chest in specific positions, while four electrodes are placed on the limbs. However, in patients with dextrocardia, the heart's apex is oriented towards the patient's right side, so the chest electrodes must be placed in opposite positions to reflect this mirror-image orientation. The limb leads may also need to be adjusted to account for any associated abnormalities in limb lead placement. By carefully placing electrodes to accommodate for dextrocardia, clinicians can obtain an ECG tracing that correctly represents the cardiac electrical activity despite the unusual heart position.