Final answer:
To obtain a clear EKG tracing, the patient must be lying face-up in the supine position. This allows for correct electrode placement and precise recordings of the heart's electrical activity.
Step-by-step explanation:
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a graphical recording of the electrical activity of the heart over time. For an accurate ECG reading, it is essential that the patient is in the correct position. According to commonly accepted medical practices, the patient must be lying in the supine position, which means they should be lying on their back, face upwards. This allows for proper placement of the electrodes on the patient's body and ensures the recording of clear traces for each of the 12 leads for a detailed analysis of heart function.
The ECG is performed using a standard electrocardiograph which can have 3, 5, or 12 leads. A lead represents the electrical voltage difference between two of the electrodes that are placed on the body in standardized locations. When a 12-lead ECG is performed, 10 electrodes are strategically placed on the patient's arms, legs, and chest to measure the voltage wave created by the heart's depolarization and subsequent repolarization during each heartbeat.