What should a technician check if an EKG shows negative leads in limb one?

When interpreting an EKG, if negative leads are observed in limb one, it is essential to check the connections associated with the right arm and left arm cable connections. The EKG relies on proper electrode placement and connections to accurately reflect the heart's electrical activity. In this context, limb lead one (I) is created by measuring the electrical potential difference between the left arm (LA) and the right arm (RA). If there is an issue, it may indicate either a faulty connection or improper electrode placement, which can lead to erroneous readings, including unexpected negative values.

Examining the right and left arm cable connections directly addresses potential issues with limb lead I, as problems in these areas may result in misleading information on the EKG printout. Each limb lead is crucial for the overall interpretation of the heart's rhythm and electrical activity, and ensuring these connections are secure and correctly placed is integral to obtaining accurate data.