Which step is crucial before applying electrodes for an EKG?

Ensuring the skin is dry before applying electrodes for an EKG is essential because moisture can interfere with the adhesion of the electrodes and affect the quality of the electrical signals that are transmitted to the EKG machine. When the skin is damp, it can also cause poor contact between the electrodes and the skin, potentially leading to artifacts in the EKG readings, which may obscure the accurate interpretation of the heart's electrical activity.

While shaving the chest hair might help with better adhesion in certain cases, and measuring blood pressure and checking the heart rate are important components of a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment, they do not directly address the optimal conditions for electrode placement, which is primarily about ensuring a clean and dry surface for reliable readings.