Ace the CVS Pharmacy Exam 2025 - Your Prescription for Success!

In the context of right axis deviation, the expected finding in leads I and II is that lead I is down while lead II is upright. This occurs due to the shift in the heart's electrical axis. In right axis deviation, which can result from conditions like right ventricular hypertrophy or chronic lung disease, the electrical forces of the heart deviate towards the right side.

Lead I typically measures the electrical potential in the horizontal plane, and with right axis deviation, the direction of the electrical activity is more negative in lead I, leading to a downward deflection. Conversely, lead II, which often represents a more positive angle relative to the heart's electrical axis during right axis deviation, remains upright. This results in a scenario where lead I indicates a downward deflection due to the rightward shift while lead II shows the expected upright pattern, since it is still aligned with the predominant electrical activity of the heart.

Understanding these principles is essential for interpreting ECG findings and recognizing variations in cardiac axis that can signify underlying health issues.