Certified Medical Assistant (CMA AAMA)Procedures, Examinations and DiagnosticsMedium
During a 12-lead EKG, a medical assistant is placing the chest electrodes. Where should lead V6 be positioned?
- AFifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
- BLeft midaxillary line, same horizontal level as V4
- CBetween V2 and V4, directly over the sternum
- DFourth intercostal space, right sternal border
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Left midaxillary line, same horizontal level as V4
V6 is placed at the left midaxillary line, on the same horizontal level as V4 and V5. V1 is at the fourth intercostal space at the right sternal border, and V4 is at the fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This describes V4 placement, not V6.
- C. This does not correspond to any standard chest lead placement.
- D. This describes V1 placement, not V6.
V6 Chest Lead Placement
V6 electrode is placed at the left midaxillary line, on the same horizontal level as V4 and V5, completing the horizontal line of chest leads.
- Left midaxillary line
- Same level as V4 and V5
- Final chest lead in the standard placement sequence
Memory trick: 'V1 to V6 walks across the chest to the armpit' — V6 ends at the midaxillary line