Question

An EKG technician is working on a patient with below the knee amputation of the left leg. In which of the following locations should the technician place the right leg electrode?

a) Above the site of the amputation on the left leg
b) On the right arm
c) On the right thigh
d) On the right lower abdomen

Answer 1

The right leg electrode should be placed on the right thigh for a patient with a below-the-knee amputation of the left leg, to ensure an accurate and reliable EKG recording.

Step-by-step explanation:

An EKG technician working on a patient with a below-the-knee amputation of the left leg should place the right leg electrode on the right thigh.

In a standard 12-lead ECG, there are ten electrodes placed on the patient's chest and limbs. When a limb electrode cannot be placed in the standard location due to amputation or other factors, adjustments are made to place the electrode as proximally on the limb as possible. Therefore, for a patient with a below-the-knee amputation of the left leg, the right leg electrode should be placed on the thigh of that limb, as it is the closest equivalent location.

This approach allows for as standardized an ECG recording as possible, even when dealing with limb amputations or other special circumstances, ensuring the EKG provides accurate and reliable information about the heart's electrical activity.