Consolidated Political Compass Test (CPCT) Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide for Exam Success!

The indication that limb leads may be reversed during an EKG is reflected in the observation that aVR has a positive deflection. In a standard EKG setup, aVR is expected to show a negative deflection because it records electrical activity from the right arm toward the left foot, and most electrical activity of the heart is directed downward and to the left. If aVR displays a positive deflection, this suggests that the electrical impulses are misaligned, which typically occurs when limb leads are positioned incorrectly.

The other options do not specifically indicate reversed limb leads. For instance, disconnected leads would lead to an incomplete reading or artifact but not specifically indicate lead reversal. An unusually high heart rate can arise from various factors, including physiological stress or arrhythmias but does not directly relate to lead positioning. A flatline reading on the monitor suggests a lack of electrical activity, possibly due to a technical issue, but again does not confirm reversed leads. Therefore, the observation of a positive deflection in aVR is a clear sign of potential lead misplacement.