True or False: The QRS complex in the modified chest lead 1 (MCL1) can be negative and still be normal.

The statement is true because the QRS complex in the modified chest lead 1 (MCL1) can indeed be negative and still be considered normal under certain circumstances. The MCL1 lead configuration allows for a different perspective on the heart's electrical activity compared to the standard limb leads.

In the context of normal cardiac function, variations in lead placement and heart anatomy can lead to a situation where the QRS complex appears negative in the MCL1. This negative deflection can occur when the heart's electrical axis is directed away from that lead, which may not indicate any pathology. Factors such as patient positioning, anatomical differences, or even the presence of previous infarcts can influence the morphology of the QRS complex without implying abnormal heart activity.

Therefore, understanding the context in which MCL1 readings are taken and interpreting them within the broader clinical picture is essential for determining normality in this context.