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Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Human Anatomy & Medicine

Master 12 Lead EKG Practice: Take the Placement Quiz!

Ready to ace EKG test placement? Dive into our EKG review quiz!

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Doll JunkieUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art of 12 lead EKG quiz showing electrode placement heart icon and feedback marks on sky blue background

This free 12 lead EKG placement quiz helps you practice correct lead positions and catch errors fast. Get instant feedback as you go, so you can fix gaps before an exam or shift; for a quick refresher, see this ECG practice , and for extra reps, try another short quiz .

Where should lead V1 be placed for a standard 12-lead EKG?
5th intercostal space at the left anterior axillary line
4th intercostal space at the left sternal border
5th intercostal space at the right midclavicular line
4th intercostal space at the right sternal border
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Where should lead V2 be placed?
3rd intercostal space at the left sternal border
4th intercostal space at the left sternal border
4th intercostal space at the midclavicular line
5th intercostal space at the left sternal border
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Where is the correct placement for V4?
5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line
3rd intercostal space at the midclavicular line
5th intercostal space at the midaxillary line
4th intercostal space at the midclavicular line
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How is V3 positioned relative to other chest leads?
Directly over the sternum
Midway between V2 and V4
Midway between V1 and V2
Midway between V4 and V5
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Where is V5 placed on the chest?
Left posterior axillary line at the same level as V4
Left midclavicular line one space below V4
Left midaxillary line at the same level as V3
Left anterior axillary line at the same horizontal level as V4
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Where is V6 placed on the chest?
Right midaxillary line at the same level as V4
Left midaxillary line at the same horizontal level as V4
Left sternal border at the 5th intercostal space
Left anterior axillary line at the same level as V3
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Limb electrodes may be placed on the torso when distal limbs are unavailable.
False
True
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Which landmark is most reliable for finding the 4th intercostal space?
The xiphoid process
The nipple line
Sternal angle (Angle of Louis) then count down to the 4th intercostal space
Midpoint of the clavicle
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Which limb is the positive electrode for aVR?
Left arm
Right leg
Left leg
Right arm
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Lead II records the potential difference from the right arm positive to the left leg negative.
False
True
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For a patient with dextrocardia, how should precordial leads be placed?
Leave all precordials in standard left-sided positions
Mirror placement on the right chest as V1R-V6R
Swap limb leads but keep chest leads unchanged
Only move V1 and V2 to the right side
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It is acceptable to place V4-V6 underneath breast tissue to reach the correct level.
True
False
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In suspected right ventricular infarction, which additional lead is most critical on a right-sided ECG?
V4R
V1R
aVR
V6R
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In U.S. color-coding, which color is typically used for the right arm (RA) electrode?
Black
Red
Green
White
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Where are posterior leads V7-V9 placed?
On the right posterior chest mirroring V4-V6
Directly over the spine at T4
Along the left posterior axillary to paraspinal lines at the same horizontal level as V6/V4
Centered on the left scapula regardless of level
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Where is V3R positioned on a full right-sided chest lead set?
Midway between V4R and V5R
Midway between V2R and V4R
At the right midclavicular line, 5th intercostal space
At the right sternal border, 4th intercostal space
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Where should the left leg (LL) electrode be placed in a patient with a left leg amputation?
On the left shoulder
On the right wrist
On the lower left torso below the umbilicus
On the upper left arm
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The precordial leads V1-V6 share a common negative reference called the Wilson central terminal.
True
False
undefined
For a posterior ECG, V8 is placed at the midscapular line at the same horizontal level as V6.
True
False
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When acquiring a right-sided ECG, which components are changed from the standard 12-lead?
All limb leads are swapped left-to-right while chest leads are unchanged
Only V1 and V2 are moved to the right; others stay the same
Precordial leads are mirrored to the right chest; limb leads remain in standard positions
All electrodes are rotated one position clockwise
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0

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Anatomical Landmarks -

    After completing the quiz, you will be able to pinpoint the precise anatomical landmarks for each of the 12 lead ekg placements, ensuring accurate and reliable readings.

  2. Apply Proper 12 Lead EKG Practice Techniques -

    You will learn to apply standardized ekg test placement procedures, aligning each lead correctly on the chest and limbs during hands-on practice.

  3. Analyze Common Placement Errors -

    Through realistic scenarios, you'll analyze frequent ekg test placement mistakes and understand how to troubleshoot and correct them in real time.

  4. Interpret Instant Feedback -

    You will interpret instant quiz feedback to refine your ekg lead placement practice and build confidence in your placement decisions.

  5. Evaluate Knowledge with an EKG Review Quiz -

    By engaging with the ekg review quiz, you will assess your understanding of lead positions and gauge your mastery of 12 lead ekg practice.

  6. Integrate Best Clinical Practices -

    You will integrate evidence-based ekg lead placement practice guidelines into your clinical routine for more accurate diagnostic outcomes.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Limb Lead Anatomy and Mnemonic -

    Understanding RA, LA, RL, and LL electrode sites is crucial for accurate 12 lead ekg practice. Use the classic mnemonic "White on right, smoke over fire" to remember that the white electrode (RA) goes on the right arm, black (LA) on the left arm, smoke (black) above fire (red) on the left leg. Proper limb lead placement reduces artifact and ensures clear tracings for your ekg test placement scenarios.

  2. Precordial Lead Placement and Intercostal Spaces -

    For reliable ekg lead placement practice, locate V1 in the 4th intercostal space (ICS) at the right sternal border and V2 at the left sternal border. Place V4 at the 5th ICS on the midclavicular line, with V3 midway between V2 and V4, and align V5 and V6 on the same horizontal plane. This systematic approach ensures consistency in your ekg review quiz simulations and real-life settings.

  3. Einthoven's Triangle and Lead Configuration -

    Remember that leads I, II, and III form Einthoven's triangle around the heart, obeying the equation Lead I + Lead III = Lead II (Einthoven's law). Comparing QRS amplitudes across these leads helps confirm correct limb lead placement. Validating these ratios during your 12 lead ekg practice strengthens both your theoretical grasp and hands-on accuracy.

  4. Artifact Prevention and Electrode Prep -

    Clean, dry skin and proper electrode adhesion are key to avoiding common artifacts like baseline wander or 60 Hz interference. Remove oils and excess hair with alcohol prep pads to ensure stable contact and clear readings. These simple prep steps elevate your ekg lead placement practice and minimize the need for retakes in clinical settings.

  5. Detecting Lead Reversal and Quality Checks -

    Misplaced or reversed leads can mimic serious arrhythmias - watch for inverted P waves or unexpected QRS axis shifts that suggest a swap (e.g., RA/LA reversal flips Lead I). Always cross-check lead color coding and anatomical landmarks if tracings look abnormal. Incorporating this quick quality check in every ekg test placement boosts your confidence and patient safety.

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