Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Exam Practice Question

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: To acquire an adequate EKG tracing, ensuring the skin is clean and dry is essential. Excess moisture, like sweat, can interfere with electrode adhesion and signal quality, leading to inaccurate readings.

Option B, applying conductive gel, is unnecessary in this scenario since gel is typically used with special electrodes rather than standard ones. Option C, shaving the electrode sites, is not immediately necessary unless there is excessive hair, which is not indicated here. Option D, placing electrodes below the clavicle, does not address the immediate need for skin preparation and may result in improper lead placement.