Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification Practice Exam 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Lateral chest leads refer specifically to the leads that monitor the activity of the lateral aspect of the heart, primarily associated with the left atrium and left ventricle. The leads V5 and V6 are positioned on the left side of the chest, allowing them to provide a view of the left lateral wall of the heart.

V5 is typically placed in the fifth intercostal space at the anterior axillary line, while V6 is placed in the same intercostal space at the midaxillary line. Together, these leads effectively capture electrical signals originating from the lateral wall of the left ventricle. This is particularly important in diagnosing conditions affecting this portion of the heart, such as lateral wall myocardial infarctions.

The other groups of leads listed (V1, V2; II, III, aVF; V3, V4) focus on different regions of the heart. V1 and V2 are positioned in the right precordial area and assess the anterior wall; II, III, and aVF are standard limb leads that predominantly reflect the inferior aspect; and V3 and V4 provide views of the anterior wall, rather than the lateral wall. Hence, the selection of V5 and V6 as the lateral