If a patient has an amputated limb, where should the electrode be placed?

In the case of a patient with an amputated limb, placing the electrode on the stump of the limb is crucial to ensure the most effective and accurate readings from the electrocardiogram. When the limb is amputated, the stump is the closest area to the original limb where the electrical signals would be transmitted. Taping the electrode to the side of the amputation helps maintain contact with the remaining tissue, which may still be able to pick up electrical activity that is pertinent for the EKG reading.

Using an alternative limb could lead to discrepancies in the results since the electrical signals may differ significantly from what would be recorded on the stump. While placing the electrode nearby the amputation site can sometimes help, it may not provide the optimal contact needed for accurate readings. Therefore, securing the electrode directly on the stump allows for the best possible signal capture in the context of amputation.