Certified EkG technician (CET) Practice Exam

When applying electrodes for telemetry, where should the ground electrode be placed?

1. On the left arm

2. On the left leg

3. On the right arm

4. On the right lower leg

The correct answer is: On the right lower leg

The ground electrode in telemetry is essential for minimizing electrical noise and ensuring the accuracy of the EKG readings. Placing the ground electrode on the right lower leg helps reduce interference from other electrical signals in the body. This placement is strategic as it utilizes a location that is farther from the heart and muscle activity, which can create electrical noise. In telemetry, it is critical for the ground electrode to be located in an area that provides a stable reference point for the heart's electrical activity. The right lower leg is an effective site for this purpose. It helps create a baseline and enhances the quality of the signal transmitted to the monitoring equipment, leading to clearer interpretations of cardiac rhythms. Other locations, such as the arms or legs, might not provide as effective a grounding point and could introduce more noise into the readings. Therefore, placing the ground electrode on the right lower leg is considered best practice to ensure optimal telemetry results.