Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

Normally, a complete ECG consists of how many leads?

1. 6

2. 10

3. 12

4. 15

The correct answer is: 12

A complete ECG, or electrocardiogram, typically consists of 12 leads. This configuration allows for a comprehensive assessment of the heart's electrical activity from different angles. The 12 leads include 6 limb leads (which are placed on the arms and legs) and 6 chest leads (which are placed across the chest). This extensive lead placement is crucial, as it provides detailed information on various heart conditions such as arrhythmias, ischemia, and other cardiac abnormalities. The other options represent different aspects of ECG lead placements but do not encompass the standard procedure. For example, 6 leads could refer to a simpler monitoring device that may not provide the complete information needed for a full cardiac assessment. 10 leads and 15 leads are also not standard configurations; while additional leads can be utilized in specialized scenarios, they do not reflect the typical 12-lead ECG setup used in most clinical situations. Thus, the correct answer highlights the significance of using 12 leads for a thorough evaluation of cardiac health.