How should a personal radiation monitor be worn in relation to a lead apron?

• A. Inside the lead apron
• B. Outside the lead apron
• C. At the collar, above the lead apron
• D. On the back under the lead apron

Answer: (B)

A personal radiation monitor should be worn outside the lead apron to accurately measure the radiation exposure the individual receives during radiographic procedures. The purpose of the monitor is to assess the amount of radiation that reaches the body, so placing it outside allows it to detect radiation that may scatter or penetrate shielded areas.

If the monitor were worn inside the lead apron, it would not register any radiation that the lead is effectively blocking, leading to an underestimation of exposure. Wearing it at the collar, above the apron, is typically recommended in some contexts, but in certain workplaces and procedures, wearing it outside the lead apron provides a more comprehensive assessment of exposure. Placing it on the back under the lead apron would also negate its effectiveness by shielding it from the radiation that it is meant to measure.