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MD Nail Technician study materials
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MD Nail Technician practice questions

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Question 1Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

When should a nail technician perform hand hygiene?

  1. Before and after every client service Correct answer.
  2. Only when hands look visibly dirty
  3. Only after removing gloves following a service
  4. Only at the start of the workday

Explanation

Hand hygiene is required before and after each client service and after removing gloves. Visible soil is not required for hand hygiene to be necessary. Consistent hand hygiene protects both the technician and the client.

Question 2Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which item is intended for single use and must be discarded after one client?

  1. Emery board Correct answer.
  2. Stainless steel cuticle nipper
  3. Metal pusher
  4. Glass mixing dish

Explanation

Porous or abrasive items such as emery boards cannot be reliably cleaned and disinfected for reuse. They should be discarded after a single client. Metal and glass implements can be reused when properly cleaned and disinfected or sterilized.

Question 3Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

During routine handwashing, how long should hands be lathered?

  1. 10 seconds
  2. 60 minutes
  3. 20 seconds Correct answer.
  4. 5 seconds

Explanation

Routine handwashing should involve lathering for at least 20 seconds. The lather should cover the backs of the hands, between the fingers, and under the nails. Rinsing and drying follow the lathering step.

Question 4Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which document contains hazard, handling, and first-aid information for a salon chemical?

  1. Service menu
  2. Price list
  3. Client intake form
  4. Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Correct answer.

Explanation

A Safety Data Sheet is supplied by the manufacturer and describes hazards, safe handling, and first-aid measures. Technicians should keep SDS information accessible for products used in the salon. Client forms and menus do not contain chemical safety data.

Question 5Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which practice best reduces inhalation exposure to acrylic monomer vapors?

  1. Using local exhaust ventilation at the work station Correct answer.
  2. Opening a window occasionally
  3. Storing monomer in an open bowl
  4. Wearing a scented mask

Explanation

Local exhaust ventilation captures vapors near the source before they spread into the room. General ventilation and open windows are helpful but less effective than source capture. Monomer should be kept covered when not in use to reduce evaporation.

Question 6Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

How should reusable towels be processed after a client service?

  1. Wash in hot water with detergent and dry on high heat Correct answer.
  2. Shake them out and reuse for the next client
  3. Spray them with air freshener and fold them
  4. Store them with clean towels until the end of the day

Explanation

Reusable linens should be laundered with detergent in hot water and dried on high heat to reduce microbial contamination. Used towels must be kept separate from clean linens. Shaking or freshening towels does not clean or disinfect them.

Question 7Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Where should used razor blades be discarded?

  1. Sharps container Correct answer.
  2. Trash can lined with a plastic bag
  3. Biohazard bag
  4. Recycling bin

Explanation

Used razor blades are sharp and can injure anyone handling the trash. They belong in a rigid, puncture-resistant sharps container. Plastic bags and biohazard bags do not reliably prevent needlesticks or cuts.

Question 8Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Sanitizing a surface means:

  1. Destroying all microbial life including spores
  2. Reducing the number of microorganisms to a safe level Correct answer.
  3. Removing only visible debris
  4. Sterilizing with an autoclave

Explanation

Sanitizing reduces the number of microorganisms on a surface to a level considered safe for public health. It does not destroy all microbial life or spores. Sterilization is a higher level of microbial destruction than sanitizing.

Question 9Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A disinfectant labeled "tuberculocidal" is significant because it:

  1. Is capable of killing Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is considered hospital-grade Correct answer.
  2. Sterilizes all bacterial spores
  3. Removes visible debris from implements
  4. Works only on porous surfaces

Explanation

A tuberculocidal claim indicates the disinfectant can kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a harder-to-kill organism. Products with this claim are often described as hospital-grade disinfectants. Tuberculocidal disinfectants are not sterilants and do not replace cleaning.

Question 10Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Why must reusable implements be cleaned before being placed in disinfectant?

  1. Disinfectant only works on dry surfaces
  2. Organic debris can protect microorganisms and reduce disinfectant contact Correct answer.
  3. Cleaning sterilizes the implements
  4. Cleaning makes implements look shiny

Explanation

Blood, oil, and nail dust can shield microorganisms from the disinfectant. Cleaning removes this debris so the disinfectant can contact the surface. Cleaning is a separate step and does not sterilize implements.

Question 11Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A disinfectant label lists a 10-minute contact time. What does this require?

  1. Keeping the implement wet with disinfectant for the full 10 minutes Correct answer.
  2. Using the product for 10 minutes once per day
  3. Soaking implements for 10 minutes then rinsing
  4. Rinsing implements after 10 seconds

Explanation

Contact time is the period the implement must remain wet with the disinfectant. Shortening the time can prevent the product from achieving its labeled microbial kill. The manufacturer's directions also specify whether rinsing is required afterward.

Question 12Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

If blood contacts a technician's broken skin, what should the technician do first?

  1. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and running water Correct answer.
  2. Cover the area with a bandage and finish the service
  3. Report to the client
  4. Apply alcohol gel and continue the service

Explanation

The first step after blood exposure to broken skin is thorough washing with soap and running water. The exposure should then be reported and medical follow-up considered. Continuing the service before washing increases risk.

Question 13Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

After each client, a whirlpool foot spa should be:

  1. Drained, cleaned, and disinfected according to the label Correct answer.
  2. Wiped with a towel and refilled
  3. Treated with a UV light only
  4. Rinsed with water only

Explanation

Whirlpool foot spas require draining, cleaning, and disinfection with an EPA-registered product after each client, following the label directions. Water rinsing alone does not disinfect. UV light treatment is not a substitute for thorough cleaning and disinfection.

Question 14Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which item is appropriate for sterilization in an autoclave?

  1. Stainless steel cuticle nippers Correct answer.
  2. Cotton balls
  3. Cardboard nail files
  4. Plastic disposable cups

Explanation

Autoclaves use heat and moisture under pressure and are suitable for items that can withstand those conditions, such as stainless steel implements. Disposable porous items are generally discarded rather than sterilized. Manufacturer instructions determine whether a specific item is autoclavable.

Question 15Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A technician with a latex sensitivity should use which gloves for client services?

  1. Powdered latex gloves
  2. Nitrile or other non-latex gloves Correct answer.
  3. No gloves if hands are washed
  4. Vinyl gloves over latex gloves

Explanation

A technician with latex sensitivity should use non-latex gloves such as nitrile. Avoiding latex reduces the risk of allergic reactions. Washing hands does not replace gloves when gloves are indicated.

Question 16Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A client has thick, discolored, crumbly toenails that may be fungal. What is the appropriate action?

  1. Soak the feet in vinegar and proceed
  2. Refer the client to a physician and do not perform the service Correct answer.
  3. Apply nail polish to hide the discoloration
  4. File the nails and continue with the service

Explanation

Suspected fungal nail infections are a contraindication for nail services because they can spread and require medical diagnosis. The client should be referred to a physician. The technician should not attempt to treat the condition.

Question 17Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which item is porous and cannot be reliably disinfected for reuse?

  1. Wooden orange-wood stick Correct answer.
  2. Glass dappen dish
  3. Stainless steel nipper
  4. Ceramic bowl

Explanation

Wood is porous and can absorb liquids and microorganisms, making reliable disinfection difficult. Porous items are generally used once and discarded. Glass, stainless steel, and ceramic are nonporous and can be cleaned and disinfected.

Question 18Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

What is the correct processing of reusable nail drill bits between clients?

  1. Soak in water only
  2. Clean, then disinfect or sterilize according to manufacturer instructions Correct answer.
  3. Wipe with a dry cloth
  4. Spray with air freshener

Explanation

Reusable drill bits must first be cleaned to remove debris, then disinfected or sterilized as directed by the manufacturer. The level of processing depends on the item and how it is used. Water alone does not disinfect.

Question 19Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Universal precautions require the technician to:

  1. Disinfect implements only at the end of the day
  2. Wear a mask only when the client coughs
  3. Use gloves only for clients who admit to having an infection
  4. Treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious Correct answer.

Explanation

Universal precautions mean treating all blood and body fluids as if they may carry infectious organisms. This approach does not depend on a client disclosing an infection. Barriers and disinfection are used consistently for every client.

Question 20Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

How should clean, disinfected implements be stored?

  1. In an open tray beside the sink
  2. Soaking in disinfectant indefinitely
  3. Loose in a drawer with used tools
  4. In a clean, dry, covered container Correct answer.

Explanation

Clean, disinfected implements should be kept in a clean, dry, covered container to prevent contamination before use. They should be separated from used tools. Leaving implements in disinfectant indefinitely is not proper storage and may damage them.

Question 21Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Why is a UV light cabinet not considered a sterilizer for nail implements?

  1. UV cabinets are too expensive
  2. UV light reaches only exposed surfaces and may not kill all spores Correct answer.
  3. UV light makes metal implements rust
  4. UV light removes debris but not germs

Explanation

Sterilization requires destroying all microorganisms, including spores. UV light in a cabinet reaches only exposed surfaces and can be blocked by debris or shadowing, so it cannot ensure sterilization. Proper cleaning and an appropriate sterilization method are required when sterilization is indicated.

Question 22Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

What hazard is created by mixing bleach with ammonia?

  1. A flammable nail polish
  2. A safe disinfectant
  3. A neutralizing powder
  4. Toxic chloramine gas Correct answer.

Explanation

Mixing bleach with ammonia produces toxic chloramine gas, which can cause serious respiratory irritation. Chemicals should never be mixed unless the manufacturer specifically directs it. Salon chemicals should be stored and used separately.

Question 23Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Why should a technician follow the manufacturer's dilution ratio for a disinfectant?

  1. Diluting more than directed improves cleaning
  2. The ratio only affects the scent
  3. Stronger solutions always disinfect faster
  4. Using too little may fail to disinfect, while too much can be unsafe or damaging Correct answer.

Explanation

The labeled dilution is formulated to provide effective microbial kill while remaining safe for the item and the technician. Over-dilution can reduce effectiveness, and excessive concentration can increase chemical hazards or damage implements. More concentrated is not automatically better.

Question 24Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Why should a foot spa be scrubbed before disinfecting?

  1. Biofilm and debris can shield microorganisms from the disinfectant
  2. Scrubbing replaces the need for disinfectant
  3. Disinfectants only work on dry surfaces
  4. Scrubbing makes the water hotter Correct answer.

Explanation

Biofilm and debris can protect microorganisms and prevent disinfectant contact with the surface. Scrubbing removes this layer so the disinfectant can work effectively. Scrubbing does not replace disinfection.

Question 25Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A technician develops itchy, red, cracked skin on the fingertips after working with acrylic monomer. What does this most likely indicate?

  1. A fungal infection from clients
  2. A sign that the monomer is sterile
  3. A normal adjustment to the product
  4. Allergic contact dermatitis that should be evaluated and may require avoiding the product Correct answer.

Explanation

Itchy, red, cracked skin after contact with acrylic monomer suggests allergic contact dermatitis or irritation. The technician should seek evaluation and avoid further exposure until the cause is identified. Continued exposure can worsen the reaction.

Question 26Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Sterilization is defined as a process that:

  1. slows the growth of microorganisms on the skin
  2. lowers the number of bacteria on a surface
  3. removes visible debris and product residue
  4. destroys all microbial life, including spores Correct answer.

Explanation

Sterilization is the highest level of decontamination and destroys all forms of microbial life, including bacterial spores and viruses. It requires an autoclave or other approved sterilizing device, not a liquid disinfectant. Disinfection and cleaning are lower levels that do not reliably destroy spores.

Question 27Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A Safety Data Sheet supplied with a salon chemical gives information about:

  1. the manufacturer's suggested retail price for each product size
  2. hazards, safe handling, and first-aid measures Correct answer.
  3. the date the product was manufactured
  4. the salon's client consent records

Explanation

Safety Data Sheets are required for hazardous chemicals and summarize physical and health hazards, safe handling and storage, exposure controls, and emergency first-aid steps. They are kept accessible to workers in the salon. Prices, manufacture dates, and client records are unrelated to the sheet's purpose.

Question 28Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

When washing the hands with soap and running water, the technician should lather and scrub for at least:

  1. 5 seconds
  2. 10 seconds
  3. 20 seconds Correct answer.
  4. 2 minutes

Explanation

Routine handwashing requires wetting the hands, applying soap, and vigorously scrubbing all surfaces, including between the fingers and under the nails, for about 20 seconds before rinsing and drying with a clean towel. Shorter times do not give the soap enough contact time to lift and remove microorganisms. Longer scrubbing is not required for routine hand hygiene.

Question 29Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which item is designed to be used on one client and then discarded?

  1. Stainless steel cuticle nipper
  2. Metal nail file
  3. Glass mixing dish
  4. Wooden orange-wood stick Correct answer.

Explanation

Porous items such as wood, paper, and foam cannot be reliably cleaned and disinfected, so they are designated single-use and discarded after one client. Metal implements and glass dishes are nonporous and can be cleaned and disinfected for reuse. Reusing a wooden stick risks transferring microorganisms between clients.

Question 30Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

During a manicure the technician notices a tear in one glove. The technician should:

  1. tape the tear shut and continue the service as planned
  2. stop, remove the gloves, wash hands, and reglove Correct answer.
  3. finish the manicure quickly and then change gloves at the end of it
  4. apply hand sanitizer over the torn glove and continue

Explanation

A torn glove no longer provides a barrier, so the service must be interrupted to prevent contact with blood or body fluids. The technician removes both gloves, washes hands with soap and water, and puts on a fresh pair before resuming. Never patch, sanitize over, or postpone a glove change.

Question 31Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

When placing implements in a disinfectant bath, the technician must make sure the implements are:

  1. completely submerged for the full contact time Correct answer.
  2. stacked loosely above the liquid on a tray
  3. sprayed once with disinfectant before drying
  4. partly dipped, with the handles above the liquid line

Explanation

Every surface of an implement must stay in contact with the disinfectant for the full label contact time, so the item must be fully immersed, often with a lid to keep it down. Any part left above the liquid is not disinfected. A single spray does not guarantee complete coverage or the required wet contact time.

Question 32Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A client's cut drips blood onto the floor. After putting on gloves, the technician's next step is to:

  1. wipe the area once with a paper towel dampened with water
  2. cover the blood with a shop towel and finish the client's service first
  3. absorb the spill with disposable towels, then disinfect the area Correct answer.
  4. mop the whole floor with the general-purpose cleaner used at closing time

Explanation

Blood is handled as potentially infectious material: the spill is absorbed with disposable towels, the waste is bagged, and the surface is then treated with an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant at the label dilution and contact time. General cleaners and water alone do not kill bloodborne pathogens. The spill must be managed before work continues.

Question 33Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

To protect both the technician and the client from nail dust during filing, the technician should:

  1. wear a cloth mask only while applying acrylic
  2. use a local exhaust vacuum at the filing area Correct answer.
  3. work in a closed room with the windows shut
  4. blow the dust off the table toward the floor

Explanation

A local exhaust vacuum captures dust at the point where it is created, reducing inhalation and surface settling. Good general ventilation and a properly fitted mask add protection. Blowing or fanning dust simply suspends it in the breathing zone.

Question 34Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A client has a small, fresh cut on one fingertip. What is the appropriate action?

  1. Proceed with no change because nail products are self-disinfecting
  2. Apply nail adhesive directly into the cut to seal it before the service
  3. Cover the cut with a waterproof bandage before the service Correct answer.
  4. Ask the client to hold a tissue on the cut during the manicure

Explanation

Broken skin is a portal of entry for pathogens and is also a source of blood that can contaminate products and surfaces. A waterproof bandage, and sometimes a finger cot, keeps the area covered throughout the service. Product should not be applied into an open wound, and nail products do not disinfect.

Question 35Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which safety feature is expected on electrical outlets located near salon sinks?

  1. A battery backup unit
  2. An extension cord rated for outdoor use
  3. A ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) Correct answer.
  4. A surge-protected power strip mounted on the counter

Explanation

A GFCI senses a leak of current to ground and shuts off power quickly, which prevents serious shock in wet areas. Electrical equipment near water should also be kept away from the basin edge and inspected for damaged cords. Power strips, battery backups, and outdoor cords do not provide this protection.

Question 36Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

How should unused chemicals such as disinfectant concentrate be stored in the salon?

  1. In the staff break area on the same shelf as food and beverages
  2. In unmarked spray bottles kept at each work station for quick access
  3. In the original labeled container, away from heat Correct answer.
  4. In a clear plastic cup mixed fresh each morning by the technician

Explanation

Chemicals must stay in their original labeled containers so the label directions, hazards, and first-aid information remain available. Storage away from heat and flame prevents vapor buildup and accidental ignition. Unlabeled containers invite dangerous misuse.

Question 37Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A metal cuticle pusher falls on the floor during a service. The technician should:

  1. put it back in the drawer and save it for the next client
  2. wipe it on the towel that is already on the table and put it back on the tray
  3. rinse it briefly in the hand sink and continue the service with it
  4. remove it from the work area and clean and disinfect it before reuse Correct answer.

Explanation

The floor is a contaminated surface, so an implement that touches it must leave the service area immediately. It cannot return to use until it has been cleaned of debris and then disinfected for the full contact time. A quick wipe or rinse does not decontaminate an implement.

Question 38Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A technician has used the same disinfectant bath for several days and it now looks cloudy with debris in it. The correct action is to:

  1. discard the solution, clean the container, and refill Correct answer.
  2. add a splash of concentrated disinfectant to strengthen it
  3. top off the container with tap water to restore the original level
  4. strain the solution through a paper towel and keep using it

Explanation

Visible debris and cloudiness show that the solution is soiled and no longer reliable, and organic matter can inactivate the active ingredient. The bath is discarded, the container is washed, and a fresh solution is mixed at the label dilution. Topping off or adding concentrate does not restore a spent solution.

Question 39Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

How can a technician confirm that a liquid product is an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant?

  1. The product lathers well when mixed with water
  2. The supplier includes a money-back guarantee on the label
  3. The label shows an EPA registration number and hospital claims Correct answer.
  4. The product is sold in a large concentrate and has a pleasant fresh scent

Explanation

An EPA registration number and a hospital-disinfectant claim on the label show the product has met the efficacy requirements for use on environmental surfaces in a salon. The label also states the dilution and contact time that must be followed. Fragrance, lather, packaging size, and refund policies say nothing about germ-killing ability.

Question 40Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A technician peels off her gloves after a service and immediately starts setting up for the next client. Why is this a problem?

  1. The gloves were probably still intact, so no contamination could have happened at all
  2. Hands can be contaminated during glove removal, so washing is still required Correct answer.
  3. Only the palms of the hands need to be cleaned after glove use
  4. Setting up equipment for the next client does not require clean hands

Explanation

Gloves can develop unnoticed micro-tears, and the hands are easily contaminated while the gloves are being removed. Handwashing with soap and water after glove removal protects both the technician and the next client. Gloves supplement hand hygiene; they never replace it.

Question 41Scientific Concepts: Nail and Skin Structure, Anatomy, and Chemistry

The nail plate is composed mainly of which substance?

  1. Collagen
  2. Melanin
  3. Calcium
  4. Keratin Correct answer.

Explanation

The nail plate is formed from tightly compacted, keratinized cells, and keratin is its principal structural protein. Collagen is the main protein of connective tissue such as the dermis, while melanin is a pigment and calcium is a mineral found only in trace amounts in the nail.

Question 42Scientific Concepts: Nail and Skin Structure, Anatomy, and Chemistry

Which part of the nail extends beyond the fingertip?

  1. Nail root
  2. Lunula
  3. Free edge Correct answer.
  4. Nail bed

Explanation

The free edge is the portion of the nail plate that projects past the fingertip and is trimmed during a manicure. The root is hidden beneath the proximal nail fold, the lunula is the pale half-moon near the base, and the nail bed supports the plate.

Question 43Scientific Concepts: Nail and Skin Structure, Anatomy, and Chemistry

Which layer of skin contains no blood vessels?

  1. Subcutaneous layer
  2. Periosteum
  3. Dermis
  4. Epidermis Correct answer.

Explanation

The epidermis is avascular; it receives nourishment by diffusion from the dermis below, which is why superficial epidermal injuries do not bleed. The dermis and subcutaneous layer both carry blood vessels.

Question 44Scientific Concepts: Nail and Skin Structure, Anatomy, and Chemistry

The living skin that overlaps the base of the nail plate is called the:

  1. Hyponychium
  2. Nail bed
  3. Eponychium Correct answer.
  4. Lateral nail fold

Explanation

The eponychium is the living skin at the proximal nail fold that overlaps the base of the plate and seals the nail pocket. The hyponychium lies at the free edge, and the lateral folds border the sides of the nail.

Question 45Scientific Concepts: Nail and Skin Structure, Anatomy, and Chemistry

Nail growth begins in which structure?

  1. Lunula
  2. Nail bed
  3. Matrix Correct answer.
  4. Cuticle

Explanation

The matrix is the living tissue that produces new nail cells, which keratinize and are pushed forward to form the plate. The lunula is only the visible portion of the matrix, the nail bed supports the plate, and the cuticle is dead tissue on the plate surface.

Question 46Scientific Concepts: Nail and Skin Structure, Anatomy, and Chemistry

Blood vessels, nerves, and glands are found mainly in which skin layer?

  1. Dermis Correct answer.
  2. Stratum corneum
  3. Epidermis
  4. Nail plate

Explanation

The dermis is the living, vascular layer of the skin and houses blood vessels, nerve endings, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands. The epidermis above it is avascular, and the stratum corneum is only the outermost dead layer.

Question 47Scientific Concepts: Nail and Skin Structure, Anatomy, and Chemistry

Which glands secrete sebum?

  1. Ceruminous glands
  2. Sebaceous glands Correct answer.
  3. Sudoriferous glands
  4. Mammary glands

Explanation

Sebaceous glands are oil glands, usually connected to hair follicles, that secrete sebum to lubricate skin and slow water loss. Sudoriferous glands produce sweat, and ceruminous glands produce earwax.

Question 48Scientific Concepts: Nail and Skin Structure, Anatomy, and Chemistry

The whitish, half-moon-shaped area at the base of the nail is the:

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

Explanation

The lunula appears pale because the cells of the visible matrix are only partly keratinized and the tissue beneath is less vascular. It is most prominent on the thumbs and fades toward the little fingers.

Question 49Scientific Concepts: Nail and Skin Structure, Anatomy, and Chemistry

Which layer of the nail plate is normally the thickest?

  1. Intermediate layer Correct answer.
  2. Dorsal layer
  3. Cuticle layer
  4. Ventral layer

Explanation

The nail plate has three layers: a thin dorsal layer, a thick intermediate layer, and a thin ventral layer that rests on the nail bed. The intermediate layer makes up most of the plate's thickness.

Question 50Scientific Concepts: Nail and Skin Structure, Anatomy, and Chemistry

Which structure seals the area where the free edge of the nail meets the fingertip?

  1. Eponychium
  2. Hyponychium Correct answer.
  3. Nail matrix
  4. Lateral nail fold

Explanation

The hyponychium is the thickened epidermis under the free edge that forms a waterproof seal and helps keep microorganisms out of the nail bed. The eponychium seals the opposite end of the nail pocket.