In ECG lead placement, which color combination corresponds to the phrase 'smoke over fire' for lead placement?

• A. Black To The Right And White Over Red
• B. White To The Right And Smoke (Black) Over Fire (Red)
• C. White On Top Of Red, Black On Bottom
• D. Green To The Right And Yellow Over Blue

Answer: (A)

In ECG lead placement, a handy way to remember limb-lead colors is the mnemonic “White on the right, Smoke over Fire.” Here, White goes on the right arm, “Smoke” represents black, and “Fire” represents red, with the instruction that the black electrode sits above the red electrode. This orientation ensures the correct spatial arrangement for the limb leads.

The option that matches this memory states White on the Right and Black over Red (smoke over fire). That alignment directly reflects the mnemonic, making it the correct choice. The other options either place the colors in positions that don’t honor White on the right or don’t keep Black over Red, so they don’t fit the remembered scheme.