What could ECG artifacts indicate if electrodes are placed incorrectly?

When electrodes are placed incorrectly, ECG artifacts can arise, leading to distorted heart readings. These artifacts can manifest as irregular spikes or waveforms in the ECG trace that do not correspond to the heart's actual electrical activity. Instead of providing a clear representation of the heart's rhythm and electrical conduction, the recordings may be unreliable and misleading.

Distorted heart readings can lead to misdiagnosis or an incorrect assessment of a patient's cardiac condition. This is critical in clinical settings, as accurate ECG readings are essential for diagnosing arrhythmias, myocardial infarctions, and other cardiac issues. Therefore, recognizing that artifacts suggest improper electrode placement is essential for ensuring the reliability of the ECG results.

In contrast, the other options do not directly correlate with the implications of incorrect electrode placement. Proper heart function cannot be accurately assessed with distorted readings, and increased heart rate or decreased cardiac output cannot be definitively concluded without clear, artifact-free measurements.