DC Nail Technician flashcards
DC Nail Technician · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Single-use nail file
- A porous item that cannot be disinfected and must be discarded after each client. Examples include emery boards, orangewood sticks, and cotton.
- Disinfection contact time
- The time an implement must remain fully submerged in an EPA-registered disinfectant to kill pathogens, as stated on the product label, often 10 minutes.
- Client record card
- A document for each client that records service date, products used, and any adverse reactions; retained per DC regulation and available for Board inspection.
- Pedicure basin disinfection
- After each client, drain, clean with soap and water, and disinfect the basin with an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant for the label's contact time before reuse.
- Hand washing requirement
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after each client and after removing gloves; hand sanitizer is not a substitute when hands are visibly soiled.
- Disinfectant labeling
- Mixed disinfectant solution must be labeled with the product name and date, mixed fresh daily, and changed when visibly soiled.
- Bloodborne pathogen standard
- Treat all blood and body fluids as infectious; wear gloves, use barriers, and disinfect contaminated surfaces with an EPA-registered tuberculocidal disinfectant.
- SDS availability
- Material Safety Data Sheets for chemicals such as acrylic monomer and primer must be on file and accessible to workers in the salon.
- Ventilation rules
- Use local exhaust or open windows; do not eat, drink, or smoke in the service area; wash hands after handling chemicals.
- Electrical safety
- Keep cords away from water, do not use damaged equipment, unplug before cleaning, and use GFCI outlets near sinks.
- Fire safety
- Keep a fire extinguisher accessible, store flammable liquids in approved cabinets, and do not block exits.
- Client protection
- Drape clients, use neck strips, avoid sharing personal items, and refuse service if the client has an open wound or contagious condition.
- Cleaning vs. disinfection
- Cleaning removes visible debris; disinfection kills most pathogens on nonporous surfaces; sterilization kills all microorganisms and is not required for routine manicuring.
- PPE use
- Wear gloves for services involving blood or chemicals, safety glasses when using drills or filing, and a mask when dust is generated.
- DC manicurist license
- A license issued by the DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology is required to perform manicuring for compensation in the District.
- License renewal
- Manicurist licenses expire on a set date, often every two years, and renewal requires completing continuing education hours as specified by the Board.
- License display
- The license must be displayed in public view at the work station or establishment, and a copy must be available for inspection.
- Establishment license
- The salon must hold a valid establishment license; a manicurist may not work in an unlicensed establishment.
- Board inspections
- Board inspectors may enter and inspect without notice during business hours; refusal can result in discipline.
- Grounds for discipline
- Unsanitary practices, unlicensed practice, fraud, and impairment are grounds for discipline, which may include fines, suspension, or revocation.
- Continuing education
- Manicurists must complete a specified number of hours per renewal cycle, including infection control and DC law, and keep certificates for audit.
- Scope of practice
- Manicurists may perform nail care, artificial nail application, and pedicuring, but may not perform medical treatments such as diagnosing or treating infections.
- Advertising rules
- The license number must appear on advertisements, and false or misleading claims are prohibited.
- Nail filing direction
- File in one direction from corner to center to avoid splitting; use a fine-grit file for natural nails; do not file back and forth.
- Cuticle care
- Apply cuticle softener, gently push back with a rubber-tipped pusher, and trim only hangnails or loose cuticle; never cut live tissue.
- Buffing technique
- Use a buffer to smooth ridges and increase circulation; do not over-buff as it thins the nail plate.
- Polish application
- Apply a base coat to protect the nail and improve adhesion, two thin coats of polish, and a top coat to seal and add shine.
- Hand massage strokes
- Use effleurage and petrissage on the hand and forearm; avoid pressure points and joints; massage improves circulation and relaxation.
- Pedicure procedure
- Soak feet in warm water with sanitizer, clean under the free edge, file nails straight across, use a pumice stone on calluses, and massage with lotion.
- Artificial nail preparation
- Remove shine and dehydrate the nail plate, apply tip or form, use acrylic or gel per manufacturer instructions, and avoid skin contact with monomer.
- Nail drill use
- Use low speed for natural nails and higher for artificial; keep the bit moving to avoid heat buildup; never drill on the cuticle or eponychium.
- Client consultation
- Assess nail condition, ask about allergies, and document findings; explain the service and aftercare to the client.