Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician (CRAT) Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Study Guide for Exam Success!

In the context of performing an ECG on a patient who has undergone a mastectomy, it's important to recognize that this surgical procedure primarily involves the removal of breast tissue and may affect the anatomical structure of the chest, but it does not inherently alter the electrical activity of the heart. Therefore, the ECG leads can be placed in the standard positions without the need for repositioning them to account for the patient's history of mastectomy.

Noting that the patient has had a mastectomy is essential for clinical documentation; this information can be relevant for interpreting any potential changes in future electrocardiograms, especially if there's a need to analyze the impact of the surgery on cardiopulmonary functionality over time. However, since mastectomy does not affect the heart itself or the ECG recording directly, the standard lead placement remains valid, confirming that no procedural changes are necessary.

This understanding underpins the choice to simply document the mastectomy in the report while proceeding with the standard ECG protocol. This approach ensures both the accuracy of the ECG results and the thoroughness of clinical documentation.