Certified EKG Technician (CET) Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive Test Prep

In the context of EKG lead placement, the paraspinous border refers to the area beside the spine. Lead V9 is specifically positioned along the paraspinous line, typically located at the left side of the spine in the region of the posterior thorax, about the same level as the other posterior leads. This lead is crucial for assessing the posterior wall of the heart and can help identify issues in that area, which may not be detected by the standard leads placed on the anterior chest.

Leads V1, V5, and V6 are not positioned along the paraspinous border. Lead V1 is placed in the fourth intercostal space at the right sternal border, while V5 and V6 are located more laterally on the chest. These leads primarily assess different anatomical regions of the heart and are more geared towards evaluating anterior and lateral wall ischemia rather than posterior wall conditions. Therefore, the correct choice reflecting the lead placed along the paraspinous border is V9.