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CT Nail Technician study materials
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CT Nail Technician practice questions

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Question 1Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

In Connecticut, which client is legally eligible to receive a full nail enhancement service from a licensed nail technician?

  1. A client with an inflamed, reddened nail fold
  2. A client with an open cut on the fingertip
  3. A client with a healed, intact nail plate and healthy surrounding skin Correct answer.
  4. A client with a localized fungal infection on one nail

Explanation

A nail technician may serve a client whose skin and nails are intact and free of visible infection or inflammation. Clients with inflamed tissue, open wounds, or active infections must be referred to a physician rather than treated.

Question 2Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

What is the correct first step when a nail technician begins cleaning a workstation between clients?

  1. Wipe the table with a dry paper towel
  2. Spray disinfectant directly onto the table surface
  3. Wash hands and put on fresh gloves Correct answer.
  4. Soak implements in water

Explanation

Hand hygiene and fresh gloves come first so the technician does not contaminate clean surfaces or implements. Cleaning and disinfection of the workstation follow after gloves are in place.

Question 3Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which item is classified as a single-use implement in a Connecticut nail salon?

  1. Metal cuticle nippers
  2. Stainless steel pusher
  3. Disposable foam toe separator Correct answer.
  4. Reusable glass dappen dish

Explanation

Single-use items are designed to be discarded after one client and cannot be effectively cleaned and disinfected. Foam toe separators are porous and are discarded after each use.

Question 4Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which type of implement must be sterilized rather than merely disinfected?

  1. A buffer used on callused heels
  2. A nail brush used on intact skin
  3. A file used on natural nails
  4. An implement that has contacted blood Correct answer.

Explanation

Any implement that has contacted blood or body fluid must be cleaned and then sterilized to destroy all microbial life, including spores. Routine disinfection is sufficient only for implements that contact intact skin and nails.

Question 5Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A client accidentally bleeds during a pedicure. What is the appropriate immediate action?

  1. Rinse the foot in the soaking tub and resume
  2. Apply acetone to the wound to clean it
  3. Stop the service, put on gloves, and apply pressure with a clean absorbent pad Correct answer.
  4. Continue the service and wipe the blood with a cotton ball

Explanation

When bleeding occurs, the technician stops, wears gloves, and controls bleeding with a clean absorbent material before properly disposing of contaminated items. Bloodborne pathogen precautions require this response to protect both parties.

Question 6Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which concentration of EPA-registered hospital disinfectant is typically used in a Connecticut nail salon for immersion of implements?

  1. The dilution printed on the manufacturer's label Correct answer.
  2. Half the label concentration to save product
  3. Double the label concentration for extra strength
  4. Any dilution mixed by eye

Explanation

Disinfectants must be mixed and used exactly according to the manufacturer's label directions, which specify dilution, contact time, and efficacy claims. Deviating from the label can render the product ineffective or unsafe.

Question 7Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

How long must reusable implements typically remain submerged in an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant?

  1. 10 seconds
  2. The contact time stated on the product label Correct answer.
  3. Until the technician finishes the next client
  4. 5 minutes regardless of product

Explanation

Each disinfectant has a specific contact time on its label, and implements must remain fully submerged for that duration to achieve disinfection. Contact times vary by product, so the label governs.

Question 8Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which practice best prevents cross-contamination during a manicure?

  1. Wiping implements on a towel and reusing them
  2. Using the same file on both hands of one client
  3. Keeping a separate labeled container for soiled implements Correct answer.
  4. Storing clean and used implements together

Explanation

Separating soiled implements into a clearly labeled container prevents clean tools from contacting contaminated ones. Clean and dirty items must never be stored together.

Question 9Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

What is the correct procedure when a technician develops a cut on her hand during a service?

  1. Rinse with disinfectant and resume
  2. Cover it with a bandage and continue bare-handed
  3. Stop, wash, apply a waterproof bandage, and put on gloves Correct answer.
  4. Ignore it if the client does not notice

Explanation

Any cut or abrasion on the technician's hands must be washed, covered with a waterproof bandage, and protected with gloves before continuing. This prevents both contamination of the client and exposure of the technician.

Question 10Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which statement about hand washing before a nail service is accurate?

  1. Hand sanitizer fully replaces hand washing before service
  2. Hands should be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds Correct answer.
  3. Washing is only needed after the service
  4. Gloves eliminate the need for hand hygiene

Explanation

Proper hand hygiene requires washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before and after client contact. Sanitizer is not a substitute when hands are visibly soiled.

Question 11Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A client arrives with a suspected bacterial infection around the nail. What should the technician do?

  1. Proceed but avoid the affected finger
  2. Apply a warm compress and continue
  3. Treat the area with a topical antiseptic and proceed
  4. Refer the client to a physician and decline the service Correct answer.

Explanation

The technician cannot diagnose or treat infections and must refer clients with suspected infection to a physician. Performing the service could worsen the condition and spread infection.

Question 12Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which agency registers the disinfectants used in Connecticut nail salons?

  1. The Food and Drug Administration
  2. The Environmental Protection Agency Correct answer.
  3. The Department of Labor
  4. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Explanation

The EPA registers hospital disinfectants and verifies their efficacy claims on the label. Salons must use EPA-registered products according to label directions.

Question 13Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

What is the purpose of cleaning an implement before disinfecting it?

  1. To remove visible debris so the disinfectant can contact the surface Correct answer.
  2. To make the implement easier to store
  3. To change the color of the metal
  4. To sterilize the implement

Explanation

Cleaning removes organic matter such as oil, skin, and debris that can shield pathogens and interfere with disinfectant contact. Disinfection is only effective on a pre-cleaned surface.

Question 14Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which storage practice keeps disinfected implements safe until use?

  1. Leaving them on an open towel overnight
  2. Keeping them in a pocket
  3. Placing them in a covered, clean, labeled container Correct answer.
  4. Storing them in the same bin as used files

Explanation

Disinfected implements must be stored in a clean, covered, labeled container to prevent recontamination before use. Open or mixed storage exposes them to pathogens.

Question 15Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A technician notices the disinfectant solution looks cloudy and has debris in it. What is the best action?

  1. Discard the solution, clean the container, and mix fresh solution Correct answer.
  2. Strain the solution and continue using it
  3. Add more disinfectant concentrate
  4. Top it off with water

Explanation

Disinfectant solutions become ineffective when contaminated with debris or when diluted incorrectly. The correct action is to discard the solution, clean the container, and prepare fresh solution per label directions.

Question 16Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which personal protective equipment is required when performing a pedicure that may involve filing callused skin?

  1. Sunglasses
  2. A hair net
  3. A face shield
  4. Gloves Correct answer.

Explanation

Gloves are the minimum PPE required for services that involve contact with skin, nails, and potential body fluids. They protect both the technician and the client from cross-contamination.

Question 17Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

What is the correct way to dispose of a contaminated disposable nail file after use?

  1. Return it to the clean drawer
  2. Place it in a sealed waste container Correct answer.
  3. Leave it on the table for the next technician
  4. Wash it and reuse on the next client

Explanation

Contaminated single-use items must be discarded into a proper waste container immediately after use. They cannot be cleaned for reuse or returned to clean storage.

Question 18Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A salon uses an ultrasonic cleaner. What is its primary function?

  1. Cleaning visible debris from implements Correct answer.
  2. Sterilizing implements
  3. Disinfecting all surfaces
  4. Drying implements

Explanation

Ultrasonic cleaners use sound waves to loosen and remove debris from implements, but they do not sterilize or disinfect. Disinfection must follow as a separate step.

Question 19Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which client condition requires a technician to wear gloves and use extra caution but does not necessarily require declining service?

  1. An active herpes lesion on the lip
  2. A suspected fungal infection of the nail
  3. An open, weeping wound on the finger
  4. A minor abrasion on the hand that is covered Correct answer.

Explanation

A covered minor abrasion does not automatically prevent service if the area is protected and gloves are worn. Active infections and open, weeping wounds require medical referral.

Question 20Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

What is the correct sequence for processing reusable implements after a service?

  1. Clean, store, then disinfect
  2. Disinfect, clean, then store
  3. Store, clean, then disinfect
  4. Clean, disinfect, then store Correct answer.

Explanation

Implements must first be cleaned to remove debris, then disinfected for the label contact time, and finally stored in a clean, covered container. Reversing the order leaves soil that shields pathogens.

Question 21Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which factor most affects the effectiveness of a disinfectant solution on implements?

  1. The color of the container
  2. The concentration and contact time Correct answer.
  3. The temperature of the room
  4. The brand name of the product

Explanation

Disinfectant efficacy depends primarily on using the correct concentration for the full contact time specified on the label. Other factors such as color or brand name do not determine efficacy.

Question 22Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A technician is exposed to a client's blood through a cut on her hand. Which action is most appropriate after first aid?

  1. Wait to see if symptoms develop
  2. Apply nail polish over the cut
  3. Continue working without reporting
  4. Report the exposure and follow the salon's exposure control plan Correct answer.

Explanation

Bloodborne pathogen exposure requires immediate first aid followed by reporting the incident and following the written exposure control plan, which may include medical evaluation. Prompt reporting protects the technician's health and documents the event.

Question 23Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which statement best explains why porous items such as wooden sticks cannot be disinfected for reuse?

  1. They are too expensive to disinfect
  2. They dissolve in disinfectant
  3. They are too small to submerge
  4. Their porous surface harbors pathogens that disinfectants cannot reliably reach Correct answer.

Explanation

Porous materials absorb fluids and trap microorganisms in spaces that disinfectants cannot reliably penetrate. For this reason they are treated as single-use and discarded after each client.

Question 24Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A client reports having had a staph infection on the hand two weeks ago. What is the technician's best course of action?

  1. Require written physician clearance before performing the service Correct answer.
  2. Shorten the service to reduce exposure
  3. Apply an antibiotic ointment and proceed
  4. Proceed if the skin looks normal

Explanation

A recent bacterial infection such as staph requires physician clearance confirming the infection has resolved before nail services are performed. Proceeding on appearance alone risks transmission and complications.

Question 25Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which practice best protects a technician from overexposure to chemical vapors in the salon?

  1. Using more product than needed
  2. Storing products in open containers
  3. Working in a closed room without airflow
  4. Keeping containers closed and ensuring adequate ventilation Correct answer.

Explanation

Keeping product containers closed and maintaining proper ventilation reduces inhalation of chemical vapors. This protects technicians from overexposure and complies with workplace safety practices.

Question 26Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

In a Connecticut nail salon, which term describes a product that destroys or irreversibly inactivates harmful microorganisms on a surface but may not kill bacterial spores?

  1. Sanitizer
  2. Cleanser
  3. Sterilant
  4. Disinfectant Correct answer.

Explanation

A disinfectant is an EPA-registered product that destroys or irreversibly inactivates most harmful microorganisms on hard, nonporous surfaces and implements, though it does not necessarily destroy bacterial spores. Sanitizers reduce, rather than eliminate, bacteria. Sterilants destroy all microbial life including spores, and cleansers only remove visible soil.

Question 27Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A technician finishes a pedicure and has a pile of single-use supplies and a metal nipper. Which item may be cleaned and then disinfected for reuse on a later client?

  1. The paper toe separator
  2. The disposable buffer block
  3. The metal nipper Correct answer.
  4. The wooden orange stick

Explanation

Only implements made of hard, nonporous material that can withstand cleaning and full immersion in an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant may be reused. Metal nippers meet that standard. Porous items such as paper separators, wooden sticks, and foam or fiber buffers absorb moisture and cannot be reliably disinfected.

Question 28Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which action must a nail technician take before beginning any client service, according to standard infection control practice?

  1. Wipe hands with disinfectant solution
  2. Wash hands with soap and water and dry them with a clean towel Correct answer.
  3. Put on gloves without washing first
  4. Apply hand lotion to soften the skin before contact

Explanation

Hand washing with soap and water removes transient microorganisms and soil, and drying with a clean towel prevents recontamination. Gloves are worn over clean hands, not as a substitute for washing. Disinfectants are formulated for surfaces and implements, not for skin.

Question 29Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A technician is about to immerse freshly cleaned implements in disinfectant. Which condition of the solution must be verified first?

  1. That it has been warmed above room temperature
  2. That it has been used on at least one client already
  3. That it is at the label's required concentration and contact time Correct answer.
  4. That it has been diluted with tap water to save money

Explanation

A disinfectant only works when it is mixed at the concentration stated on the label and implements remain submerged for the full contact time. Over-dilution, reuse beyond the label's limits, or unverified temperature can all reduce efficacy. The technician should check the label directions and test strips where available.

Question 30Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A technician is setting up a station and needs a container to hold clean implements during a service. Which practice best protects those implements from contamination?

  1. Arrange them loosely on an uncovered towel at the station
  2. Place them in the same tray used for soiled implements
  3. Keep them in a closed, labeled container until the moment of use Correct answer.
  4. Store them in a pocket of the technician's apron

Explanation

Clean and disinfected implements must be kept in a closed, labeled container that separates them from soiled items until they are used. Leaving them uncovered allows airborne dust and splashes to contaminate them. Mixing clean and soiled implements defeats the disinfection process.

Question 31Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A client seated at the manicure table has an itchy, red, scaly patch between two fingers. What is the technician's most appropriate response?

  1. Politely refer the client to a physician and reschedule the service Correct answer.
  2. Perform the service without gloves to avoid embarrassing the client
  3. Cover the area with polish and continue the manicure
  4. Proceed with the service but use a stronger disinfectant afterward

Explanation

A red, itchy, scaly patch may indicate a fungal or other communicable skin condition, which is outside the scope of a nail technician's practice. The technician should not diagnose, but should decline or postpone the service and refer the client for medical evaluation. Continuing the service risks spreading infection to the client and the technician.

Question 32Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A technician is mixing a liquid monomer in a small, poorly ventilated room. Which control most directly reduces inhalation exposure to the vapors?

  1. Opening the product only when the client asks
  2. Using a local exhaust ventilation system near the work area Correct answer.
  3. Wearing a cloth face covering
  4. Turning on a decorative fan that circulates room air

Explanation

Local exhaust ventilation captures vapors at the source and removes them from the breathing zone, which is the most effective engineering control for chemical vapors. Simply moving air around the room dilutes but does not remove contaminants. Cloth face coverings are not respiratory protection for solvent vapors.

Question 33Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

During a service a technician's glove tears and her bare hand contacts a client's blood. After removing the glove and washing the exposed skin with soap and water, what is the technician's next step?

  1. Continue the service and finish the remaining nails
  2. Report the exposure to the supervisor and follow the salon's exposure control plan Correct answer.
  3. Apply hand sanitizer and resume work without reporting
  4. Wait to see whether any symptoms develop before acting

Explanation

After immediate first aid, an occupational exposure to blood must be reported so the employer can follow the written exposure control plan, which typically includes medical evaluation and documentation. Delaying or omitting the report forfeits timely post-exposure care. The service should not continue with a contaminated hand.

Question 34Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A technician uses an ultrasonic unit as part of implement processing. Which statement correctly describes what the unit contributes?

  1. It loosens and removes debris from implements before disinfection Correct answer.
  2. It disinfects implements by heating the solution to boiling
  3. It replaces hand scrubbing for visibly soiled tools
  4. It sterilizes implements so no disinfectant is needed

Explanation

An ultrasonic unit uses high-frequency sound waves to create bubbles that lift debris from crevices, making it a cleaning aid rather than a disinfecting or sterilizing step. Implements still require rinsing, drying, and full immersion in an EPA-registered disinfectant. Heavily soiled tools still need pre-cleaning.

Question 35Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which statement correctly distinguishes disinfection from sterilization in the nail salon setting?

  1. Sterilization destroys all microbial life including spores, while disinfection does not Correct answer.
  2. Sterilization is achieved by any EPA-registered hospital disinfectant
  3. The two terms describe the same process at different temperatures
  4. Disinfection destroys spores, while sterilization only reduces bacteria

Explanation

Sterilization destroys all forms of microbial life, including bacterial spores, and generally requires an autoclave or similar device. Disinfection with an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant inactivates most pathogens but not necessarily spores. The terms are not interchangeable, and no routine salon disinfectant qualifies as a sterilant.

Question 36Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A technician notices that her bottle of disinfectant has no label and she cannot recall the dilution ratio. What is the safest course of action?

  1. Guess a ratio that looks similar to what she usually mixes
  2. Use the solution at full strength to compensate for uncertainty
  3. Discard the unlabeled solution and prepare a fresh batch following the product label Correct answer.
  4. Add a small amount of bleach to strengthen the solution

Explanation

An unlabeled solution cannot be verified for identity, concentration, or contact time, so it cannot be relied on to disinfect. The technician should discard it and mix a new batch according to the manufacturer's label, keeping the label with the container. Improvising ratios or mixing products risks both ineffective disinfection and hazardous chemical reactions.

Question 37Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A technician has just finished filing a client's natural nails and now must handle the reusable metal pusher that contacted the nail plate. Which step comes first in processing that implement?

  1. Wipe it on a towel and return it to the drawer
  2. Spray it with disinfectant and store it
  3. Clean it with soap and water to remove debris Correct answer.
  4. Place it directly into the disinfectant jar

Explanation

Visible debris and residue must be removed by cleaning before an implement is immersed in disinfectant, because organic matter interferes with the chemical's action. Only after cleaning, rinsing, and drying should the tool go into the disinfectant for the full contact time. Skipping cleaning renders disinfection unreliable.

Question 38Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A salon's disinfectant jar has been in use for several days, and the solution now looks cloudy with visible debris. What is the best action?

  1. Discard the solution, clean the jar, and mix a fresh batch Correct answer.
  2. Add more disinfectant concentrate to the existing solution
  3. Strain out the debris and keep the same solution
  4. Top off the jar with new disinfectant and continue using it

Explanation

Cloudiness and debris indicate that the solution is contaminated with organic matter and no longer reliable for disinfection. The correct response is to discard it, clean and dry the container, and prepare a fresh solution at the label's concentration. Reusing or topping off a soiled batch compromises every implement processed in it.

Question 39Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A technician must choose a method for a client whose nail service will involve filing callused skin on the feet. Which combination best reflects standard precautions for this service?

  1. Clean gloves and a face mask, with single-use abrasives discarded after the service Correct answer.
  2. A face mask only, since the risk is airborne
  3. No gloves if the client's skin appears intact
  4. Clean gloves only, with the abrasive sanitized and reused

Explanation

Services that generate nail dust and involve contact with skin and possible bloodborne pathogens call for gloves plus a mask to protect the respiratory tract from dust and aerosols. Abrasives that contact skin are single-use and must be discarded. Gloves alone or a mask alone leaves one route of exposure unprotected.

Question 40Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A technician is reviewing a new product's Safety Data Sheet before use. Which information on the SDS is most directly relevant to planning for a spill of the product?

  1. The client satisfaction ratings for the product line
  2. The marketing description of the product's benefits
  3. The accidental release measures and required protective equipment Correct answer.
  4. The shelf life stated in the storage section

Explanation

A Safety Data Sheet includes a section on accidental release measures that describes containment, cleanup procedures, and the protective equipment needed for a spill. The technician should also note first aid and handling information. Shelf life and marketing material do not address spill response.

Question 41Anatomy and Physiology of the Nail and Skin

Which layer of the nail plate is the thin, uppermost layer that is shed when the plate surface is lightly buffed?

  1. The nail bed
  2. The dorsal layer Correct answer.
  3. The ventral layer
  4. The intermediate layer

Explanation

The nail plate has three described layers: the dorsal (top), intermediate (middle), and ventral (bottom) layers. The dorsal layer is thin and loosely attached, so light buffing removes it. The intermediate layer provides most of the plate's strength and thickness.

Question 42Anatomy and Physiology of the Nail and Skin

The living skin that seals the space between the nail plate and the free edge at the tip of the finger is called the:

  1. Lunula
  2. Hyponychium Correct answer.
  3. Eponychium
  4. Mantle

Explanation

The hyponychium is the skin under the free edge that forms a seal against dirt and microbes. The eponychium is the cuticle area at the base of the plate, the lunula is the pale half-moon, and the mantle is the pocket in which the nail root sits.

Question 43Anatomy and Physiology of the Nail and Skin

Which structure produces the majority of the nail plate cells?

  1. The nail bed
  2. The nail plate itself
  3. The nail matrix Correct answer.
  4. The nail fold

Explanation

The matrix is the generative area of tissue at the base of the nail where new cells are created and keratinized. Cells formed in the matrix are pushed forward and become the nail plate. The nail bed contributes only a small amount of material to the underside of the plate.

Question 44Anatomy and Physiology of the Nail and Skin

A client's nail plate appears noticeably thin and easily bends. Which underlying structure is most directly responsible for the thickness and hardness of the plate?

  1. The matrix Correct answer.
  2. The cuticle
  3. The onychodermal band
  4. The hyponychium

Explanation

The matrix determines the thickness, shape, and hardness of the growing nail plate because the cells originate there. A matrix that is short or damaged produces a thinner, more flexible plate. The other structures listed are supportive or sealing tissues and do not govern plate thickness.

Question 45Anatomy and Physiology of the Nail and Skin

The whitish, half-moon-shaped area visible at the base of many nail plates is best described as:

  1. A separate bone that lies under the nail root
  2. A sign of a fungal infection requiring medical referral
  3. A buildup of cuticle that should be removed during every service
  4. The visible portion of the matrix, which is lighter because its cells are not yet fully flattened and translucent Correct answer.

Explanation

The lunula is the portion of the matrix that shows through the plate. It looks paler because the cells there are newly formed, less compacted, and not yet fully keratinized. It is normal anatomy, not a defect or a separate structure.

Question 46Anatomy and Physiology of the Nail and Skin

Which best explains why the nail plate is described as translucent?

  1. It is covered by a layer of clear polish
  2. It contains no melanin and allows the color of the nail bed beneath to show through Correct answer.
  3. It has no keratin content
  4. It is made entirely of water

Explanation

The healthy nail plate is a translucent keratin structure, so the pinkish color seen in most nails comes from the blood vessels in the nail bed beneath. Where the plate is thicker or the matrix shows, the color appears paler. Melanin content and hydration affect appearance but not this translucency.

Question 47Anatomy and Physiology of the Nail and Skin

The nail root is best described as:

  1. The free edge that extends beyond the fingertip
  2. The part of the nail plate that extends into the mantle and is not visible Correct answer.
  3. The skin surrounding the nail on three sides
  4. The deepest part of the nail bed

Explanation

The nail root is the proximal portion of the plate that lies within the mantle, tucked under the nail fold, and is therefore hidden. The visible part of the plate begins where the root emerges. The free edge and surrounding skin are separate structures.

Question 48Anatomy and Physiology of the Nail and Skin

Which pair correctly matches a nail structure with its location?

  1. Nail wall - center of the nail bed
  2. Eponychium - base of the nail plate Correct answer.
  3. Hyponychium - base of the nail plate
  4. Lunula - free edge of the nail

Explanation

The eponychium is the living skin at the base of the nail plate that forms the cuticle. The hyponychium lies under the free edge, the lunula at the base, and the nail wall along the sides. Matching each structure to its true position is essential for safe service.

Question 49Anatomy and Physiology of the Nail and Skin

Which statement about the nail bed is accurate?

  1. It generates the entire nail plate
  2. It contains no nerve endings
  3. It is richly supplied with blood vessels and nerves and supports the nail plate Correct answer.
  4. It is the same structure as the matrix

Explanation

The nail bed is the skin beneath the nail plate, attached to the periosteum of the distal phalanx, and it carries a rich blood and nerve supply. It supports the plate but is not the main source of plate cells. The matrix, not the bed, generates most of the plate.

Question 50Anatomy and Physiology of the Nail and Skin

The cuticle is formed from which tissue?

  1. The lateral nail fold
  2. The hyponychium
  3. The matrix
  4. The eponychium Correct answer.

Explanation

The cuticle is a layer of dead, keratinized cells that grows from the eponychium, the living skin at the base of the plate. It seals the space between the plate and the skin. The hyponychium, matrix, and lateral folds are separate structures.