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Use the internet or a medical textbook to find out what a correct 12-lead EKG setup looks like. Copy this diagram as an informational graphic or poster. Spending time copying the diagram instead of just looking at it will help you remember its details later.

Add labels and notes to help you remember what each lead is and where it goes. These labels and notes should be in your own words rather than copied from your source or the unit. If you write something in your own words, you are more likely to thoroughly understand it.

Step 2: Create a Memory Aid for Color Order
If you attach the leads in the wrong place or the wrong order, you could create an artifact that would make it difficult or impossible to read the EKG. To help you avoid this, create a memory aid (also called a mnemonic) for the six chest leads.

As your source will show you, the color order is red, yellow, green, blue, orange, and purple from the patient’s right side to the patient’s left side. Create a sentence that uses the first letter of each color in order. For example, the first four words might be something like Ricky yanked Gail’s beret or Really young gazelles believe. The weirder and sillier you make your memory aid, the more likely you are to remember it

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Step 1: 12-Lead EKG Setup Diagram

Instructions for Setting Up a 12-Lead EKG:

  1. Standard Lead Positions:

    • Limb Leads:

      • RA (Right Arm) - White Lead: Place on the right arm.
      • LA (Left Arm) - Black Lead: Place on the left arm.
      • RL (Right Leg) - Green Lead: Place on the right leg.
      • LL (Left Leg) - Red Lead: Place on the left leg.

    • Chest Leads:

      • V1 (4th Intercostal Space, Right Sternal Border) - Brown Lead: Place at the 4th intercostal space to the right of the sternum.
      • V2 (4th Intercostal Space, Left Sternal Border) - Red Lead: Place at the 4th intercostal space to the left of the sternum.
      • V3 (Between V2 and V4) - Yellow Lead: Place between V2 and V4 on the left side.
      • V4 (5th Intercostal Space, Midclavicular Line) - Orange Lead: Place at the 5th intercostal space in the midclavicular line.
      • V5 (5th Intercostal Space, Anterior Axillary Line) - Blue Lead: Place at the 5th intercostal space along the anterior axillary line.
      • V6 (5th Intercostal Space, Midaxillary Line) - Purple Lead: Place at the 5th intercostal space along the midaxillary line.

Step 2: Memory Aid for Color Order

To remember the color order from the right side (patient's perspective) to the left side, we have the following colors: Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Orange, Purple.

For a mnemonic, you could use the sentence:

"Robots Yell Get Big Orange Pizzas."

Diagram Preparation Notes:

  • When creating your diagram, be sure to position the leads accurately according to the instructions given above.
  • Using color coding will also assist with memorization.
  • Add brief notes next to each lead to reinforce their anatomical locations and functions to deepen your understanding of their significance in EKG readings.

By visualizing and labeling the EKG lead placements and using a creative memory aid, you’ll enhance your ability to recall the information needed for EKG interpretation.