Certified Medical Assistant (CMA AAMA)Procedures, Examinations and DiagnosticsMedium
A medical assistant is placing limb lead electrodes for a 12-lead EKG. According to standard color coding, which electrode placement is correct?
- AGreen electrode on the left arm
- BWhite electrode on the right arm
- CRed electrode on the right leg
- DBlack electrode on the left leg
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. White electrode on the right arm
The standard AHA color code places white on the right arm, black on the left arm, green on the right leg, and red on the left leg. Correct lead placement is essential for accurate waveform interpretation.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Green is placed on the right leg, not the left arm.
- C. Green, not red, is placed on the right leg.
- D. Black is placed on the left arm, not the left leg.
EKG Limb Lead Color Code
The standardized color scheme for placing the four limb electrodes to ensure correct lead vector orientation.
- White = Right Arm (RA)
- Black = Left Arm (LA)
- Green = Right Leg (RL, ground)
- Red = Left Leg (LL)
Memory trick: 'White is right, smoke over fire' (white-black over red-green)