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NJ Nail Technician study materials
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NJ Nail Technician practice questions

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Question 1Nail Care and Services

Under New Jersey cosmetology and hairstyling board rules, which client record entry must a nail technician document before providing a manicure service?

  1. The client's name, address, and telephone number Correct answer.
  2. The retail price quoted for the service
  3. The client's preferred polish brand and color number
  4. The technician's license expiration date

Explanation

New Jersey board rules require licensees to keep a client record card containing the client's name, address, and telephone number, along with the date and type of service performed. This record allows the shop to trace services if a complaint or reaction arises. Polish preferences and price quotes are not required record elements.

Question 2Nail Care and Services

A nail technician is preparing a footbath for a pedicure. Which practice best meets sanitation requirements for the basin between clients?

  1. Spray the basin with a cosmetic freshener and dry it with a cloth towel
  2. Rinse the basin with warm water and air dry it
  3. Wipe the basin with a dry paper towel and refill it
  4. Clean and disinfect the basin with an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant at the labeled contact time Correct answer.

Explanation

Footbaths and basins are reusable implements that contact skin and must be cleaned, then disinfected with an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant used according to label directions, including full contact time. Rinsing or wiping alone does not kill pathogens. Cosmetic sprays are not disinfectants.

Question 3Nail Care and Services

Which condition of the natural nail plate should cause a nail technician to refuse service and refer the client to a physician?

  1. A greenish-black discoloration lifting the free edge from the nail bed Correct answer.
  2. Shallow horizontal grooves following a prior illness
  3. A single white spot on one nail plate
  4. Longitudinal ridges on both thumbnails

Explanation

A greenish-black discoloration with separation suggests a bacterial or fungal infection, which is contraindicated for nail services and requires medical referral. White spots, ridges, and Beau's lines are common noninfectious conditions that can be serviced with care. Infection control rules prohibit working on infected tissue.

Question 4Nail Care and Services

Which product is applied to the natural nail plate to improve adhesion of a gel polish system and is cured under a UV or LED lamp?

  1. Buffing cream
  2. Non-acetone polish remover
  3. Cuticle oil
  4. Gel base coat Correct answer.

Explanation

A gel base coat is a photoinitiator-containing product applied to the prepared nail plate and cured under a UV or LED lamp to create the bonding layer for gel polish. Cuticle oil and remover are not cured films. Buffing cream is an abrasive product, not a cured base layer.

Question 5Nail Care and Services

A client requests an acrylic overlay, but the nail technician notices the natural nail plate is thin and flexible from prior improper product removal. Which approach is most appropriate?

  1. Use a sculpted hard gel overlay with a stress area built at the free edge
  2. File the plate thinner so the acrylic adheres better
  3. Recommend a nail strengthener and postpone enhancement until the plate improves Correct answer.
  4. Apply a thick acrylic layer to add strength and hide the flexibility

Explanation

A thin, flexible plate is a compromised foundation; adding a rigid enhancement can increase stress and cause further damage. The conservative professional choice is to recommend a strengthener and allow the plate to recover before applying enhancements. Thinning the plate worsens the problem.

Question 6Nail Care and Services

What is the primary purpose of using a nail dehydrator before applying an acrylic or gel enhancement?

  1. To permanently seal the nail plate against moisture
  2. To temporarily remove surface moisture and oils so the product bonds Correct answer.
  3. To disinfect the nail plate before service
  4. To soften the cuticle for easier pushing

Explanation

A dehydrator removes surface moisture and residual oils so the enhancement product can bond to the plate. It is a temporary preparation step, not a seal, softener, or disinfectant. Disinfection of implements and hand washing address microbial control.

Question 7Nail Care and Services

A nail technician is shaping a square nail with a 180-grit file. Which motion reduces the risk of splitting the sidewalls?

  1. File only the top surface of the free edge
  2. File deeply into the sidewall to create a sharp corner
  3. Saw back and forth rapidly across the free edge
  4. File in one direction from the corner toward the center under the free edge Correct answer.

Explanation

Filing in one direction from the corner toward the center under the free edge supports the nail and reduces splitting. Sawing motions create friction and stress the sidewalls. Filing into the sidewall or only the top surface distorts the shape and weakens the structure.

Question 8Nail Care and Services

Which implement must be discarded after a single use rather than cleaned and disinfected?

  1. Disposable wooden orangewood stick Correct answer.
  2. Reusable glass nail file
  3. Metal pusher
  4. Stainless steel cuticle nippers

Explanation

Porous items such as wooden sticks cannot be adequately cleaned and disinfected and must be discarded after one client. Metal nippers, pushers, and glass files are nonporous and can be cleaned and disinfected for reuse. Disposable items are never reused.

Question 9Nail Care and Services

A client with diabetes requests a pedicure and reports a small cut on the toe from trimming. What is the most appropriate response?

  1. Decline the service and advise the client to consult a physician Correct answer.
  2. Proceed with the pedicure and cover the cut with a bandage
  3. Soak the foot in a whirlpool pedicure basin to soften the skin
  4. Apply an antiseptic and perform the service quickly

Explanation

Clients with diabetes have reduced circulation and healing capacity, and an open cut increases infection risk. The technician should decline the service and refer the client to a physician. Covering the cut or applying antiseptic does not make the service safe.

Question 10Nail Care and Services

Which statement correctly describes the structure of the natural nail plate?

  1. It is a vascular tissue supplied by capillaries within the plate
  2. It is a glandular tissue that secretes sebum
  3. It is a living layer of cells that continually divides at the surface
  4. It is a hardened keratin structure produced by the nail matrix Correct answer.

Explanation

The nail plate is composed of compacted keratinized cells produced by the matrix, which is the growth center. The plate itself is not living tissue and has no glands or blood vessels. Its growth comes from matrix cell division beneath the proximal nail fold.

Question 11Nail Care and Services

A client's nail enhancements keep lifting at the sidewalls within a week. Which cause should the technician investigate first?

  1. The lamp wattage being higher than needed
  2. The client's polish color choice
  3. The use of a base coat under the enhancement
  4. Incomplete removal of cuticle tissue and oils along the sidewalls Correct answer.

Explanation

Lifting at the sidewalls most often results from inadequate preparation, especially leftover cuticle tissue and oils that prevent bonding. Polish color and lamp wattage do not cause sidewall lifting. A base coat is part of the system and does not explain localized lifting.

Question 12Nail Care and Services

Which product should be used to remove a hard gel enhancement that was applied over the natural nail?

  1. Acetone soak for 10 minutes
  2. Mechanical filing with a coarse bit, following manufacturer instructions Correct answer.
  3. Hot water soak
  4. Non-acetone polish remover

Explanation

Hard gel is not soluble in acetone and must be removed mechanically by filing, following the manufacturer's instructions and avoiding damage to the natural plate. Acetone and non-acetone removers dissolve soft gel or polish, not hard gel. Water has no removal effect.

Question 13Nail Care and Services

What is the correct concentration for an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant used on nail implements?

  1. Use at any concentration as long as it is labeled for hospitals
  2. Dilute to half strength to reduce skin irritation
  3. Use the concentration specified on the product label, mixed fresh as directed Correct answer.
  4. Use full strength regardless of the label

Explanation

Disinfectants must be mixed and used at the concentration and contact time specified on the EPA-registered label to be effective. Improper dilution or deviation from label instructions can inactivate the product. The label is the legal and technical standard.

Question 14Nail Care and Services

Which behavior best demonstrates proper hand hygiene for a nail technician between clients?

  1. Washing hands with soap and water, then using hand sanitizer if hands are not visibly soiled Correct answer.
  2. Wearing gloves without washing hands between clients
  3. Rinsing hands with warm water only
  4. Using a towel shared with the client

Explanation

Hands should be washed with soap and water, and an alcohol-based sanitizer may be used when hands are not visibly soiled. Gloves do not replace hand washing, and shared towels can transfer organisms. Water alone does not remove oils or pathogens effectively.

Question 15Nail Care and Services

A client presents with a dark streak along the nail plate extending from the cuticle and reports it has widened over several months. What is the technician's responsibility?

  1. Refer the client to a physician without performing the service Correct answer.
  2. Buff the streak away with a medium-grit file
  3. Apply a strengthening base coat and proceed
  4. Apply a ridge filler to disguise the streak

Explanation

A widening dark streak from the cuticle can indicate a serious medical condition such as a subungual melanoma and must be evaluated by a physician. The technician should not attempt to disguise or remove it. Cosmetic products and filing do not address the underlying concern.

Question 16Nail Care and Services

Which step correctly describes the use of a cuticle nipper during a manicure?

  1. Trim the eponychium deeply to remove the entire cuticle
  2. Trim the lateral nail fold to widen the nail plate
  3. Use the nipper to open the nail fold for product application
  4. Trim only hangnails or loose, dead skin with the tips of the nipper Correct answer.

Explanation

A cuticle nipper should be used only to remove hangnails or loose, dead tissue with the tips, avoiding living tissue. Deep trimming of the eponychium can cause injury and infection. Opening the nail fold or trimming lateral folds is not a proper use.

Question 17Nail Care and Services

Which chemical in nail products is associated with allergic contact dermatitis and is regulated in some states as a sensitizer?

  1. Methacrylate monomer Correct answer.
  2. Glycerin
  3. Ethyl alcohol
  4. Titanium dioxide

Explanation

Methacrylate monomers used in acrylic and gel systems are well-known sensitizers that can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Ethyl alcohol and glycerin are common solvents and humectants with low sensitizing potential. Titanium dioxide is a pigment with different hazard concerns.

Question 18Nail Care and Services

A nail technician is using an electric file on a client's natural nail. Which practice minimizes the risk of friction burns?

  1. Increase pressure to reduce the number of passes
  2. Use a fine bit at low speed with light, intermittent contact Correct answer.
  3. Use a coarse bit at high speed with light pressure
  4. Hold the bit stationary against the nail to smooth the surface

Explanation

Low speed with a fine bit and light, intermittent contact reduces heat buildup and friction burns. High speed, coarse bits, stationary contact, and increased pressure all raise the risk of thermal injury to the nail bed. The technician should keep the bit moving.

Question 19Nail Care and Services

What is the purpose of applying a thin coat of bond primer to the natural nail before acrylic application?

  1. To disinfect the nail plate
  2. To add color to the enhancement
  3. To soften the nail plate for easier shaping
  4. To improve adhesion between the natural nail and the acrylic product Correct answer.

Explanation

Bond primer improves adhesion between the natural nail plate and the acrylic system, reducing lifting. It does not add color, soften the plate, or disinfect. Disinfection is a separate step performed with EPA-registered products.

Question 20Nail Care and Services

A client reports itching, redness, and small blisters on the fingertips after a gel manicure. What should the technician do?

  1. Continue the service and apply a soothing lotion
  2. Reapply the same gel system after the skin heals
  3. Remove the product, advise the client to seek medical evaluation, and switch to a different product system for future services Correct answer.
  4. Buff the product thinner to allow the skin to breathe

Explanation

Itching, redness, and blisters suggest an allergic reaction that requires removal of the product and medical evaluation. Reusing the same system risks a stronger reaction. Thinning or continuing the service does not resolve the sensitization.

Question 21Nail Care and Services

Which tool is used to gently push back softened cuticle during a manicure?

  1. Nail file
  2. Cuticle nipper
  3. Metal or rubber-tipped pusher Correct answer.
  4. Nail buffer

Explanation

A cuticle pusher, either metal or rubber-tipped, is designed to gently push back softened cuticle on the nail plate. Use light pressure and avoid injuring the living proximal nail fold. Nippers are for trimming, files shape the free edge, and buffers smooth the nail surface.

Question 22Nail Care and Services

A client with a known allergy to acrylic monomer requests nail enhancements. Which service is most appropriate?

  1. Gel polish on the natural nail or a hypoallergenic gel system Correct answer.
  2. Sculpted acrylic with a different brand of monomer
  3. Acrylic overlay with a primer barrier
  4. Acrylic dip powder with a cyanoacrylate base

Explanation

A client allergic to acrylic monomer should avoid acrylic systems entirely, including different brands and dip powders that use similar chemistry. Gel polish on the natural nail or a hypoallergenic gel system is a safer alternative. A primer barrier does not prevent sensitization.

Question 23Nail Care and Services

Which practice is required when storing disinfected implements in a nail shop?

  1. Store them in an open tray near the work station
  2. Store them in a drawer with used files
  3. Store them in a cloth pouch shared among technicians
  4. Store them in a closed, labeled container that keeps them clean Correct answer.

Explanation

Disinfected implements must be stored in a clean, closed, labeled container to prevent recontamination. Open trays, shared drawers with used items, and shared cloth pouches expose clean tools to microorganisms. Storage is part of the infection control chain.

Question 24Nail Care and Services

What is the correct action when a nail technician accidentally nicks a client's skin with a cuticle nipper?

  1. Cover the nick with acrylic product to seal it
  2. Rinse the area with acetone and continue
  3. Continue the service and apply polish over the area
  4. Stop the service, apply pressure with a clean gauze, and follow blood exposure procedures Correct answer.

Explanation

A nick that draws blood requires stopping the service, controlling bleeding with clean gauze, and following blood exposure procedures, including proper cleanup and documentation. Continuing the service or applying product over broken skin risks infection. Acetone is not a wound cleanser.

Question 25Nail Care and Services

Which statement accurately describes the growth rate of the natural nail plate?

  1. Fingernails grow faster than toenails, and fingernails grow faster on the dominant hand Correct answer.
  2. All nails grow at the same rate regardless of hand dominance
  3. Nails stop growing after age 30
  4. Toenails grow faster than fingernails because they bear more pressure

Explanation

Fingernails grow faster than toenails, and nails on the dominant hand generally grow faster due to increased use and circulation. Toenails grow more slowly, and growth does not stop at age 30. This knowledge helps technicians explain maintenance intervals.

Question 26Nail Care and Services

Which type of nail file has the abrasive attached to a foam or sponge core and is typically used to smooth the natural nail plate before polish?

  1. A cushion or sponge board Correct answer.
  2. A metal rasp
  3. A natural pumice stone
  4. A carbide bit

Explanation

Cushion or sponge boards have abrasive grit bonded to a flexible foam core, so they conform to the nail plate and are used for light smoothing and buffing. Metal rasps and carbide bits are rigid tools used for artificial nails or electric filing, not for refining the natural plate.

Question 27Nail Care and Services

After a client soaks in a pedicure basin, the technician notices a ring of residue on the basin wall. What is the correct procedure for that basin between clients?

  1. Spray with a light fragrance mist and let air dry
  2. Rinse with warm water and dry with a towel
  3. Scrub with soap and water, then disinfect with an EPA-registered hospital-grade product following label contact time Correct answer.
  4. Wipe with a dry paper towel and reuse for the next client

Explanation

Reusable basins are nonporous items that contact skin and must be cleaned of debris with soap and water and then disinfected with an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant used according to its label, including the stated contact time. Rinsing or wiping alone does not kill pathogens.

Question 28Nail Care and Services

Which description best matches the appearance of a healthy nail plate?

  1. Pitted with shallow depressions across the surface
  2. Yellowed and thickened at the free edge
  3. Opaque white with visible ridges and spots
  4. Translucent, pinkish, and smooth with a slight sheen Correct answer.

Explanation

A healthy nail plate is translucent enough to show the pink nail bed beneath, with a smooth surface and a slight sheen. Yellowing, thickening, pitting, and discolored spots are signs that warrant referral rather than a routine service.

Question 29Nail Care and Services

During a manicure, a client's cuticle area appears red, swollen, and painful, with a small pocket of pus along the lateral nail fold. How should the technician proceed?

  1. Trim the swollen tissue with nippers to drain it
  2. Soak the finger in hot water and continue the manicure
  3. Do not perform the service and refer the client to a physician Correct answer.
  4. Apply cuticle oil and massage the area firmly

Explanation

Redness, swelling, pain, and pus indicate infection, which is outside the scope of a nail technician and must be evaluated by a physician. Performing services on infected tissue can spread infection and worsen the client's condition.

Question 30Nail Care and Services

Which monomer component is most often responsible for allergic reactions in clients who develop sensitization to liquid-and-powder enhancements?

  1. Acetone
  2. Methyl methacrylate
  3. Isopropyl alcohol
  4. Ethyl methacrylate Correct answer.

Explanation

Ethyl methacrylate (EMA) is the monomer used in most professional acrylic systems and is a recognized sensitizer that can cause allergic contact dermatitis with repeated skin contact. Methyl methacrylate is prohibited for cosmetic nail use in many jurisdictions because of stronger sensitization and irritation.

Question 31Nail Care and Services

A client requests a French manicure but the free edge of one nail is broken short. What is the most professional response?

  1. Shape all nails to a consistent length and adapt the smile line to each free edge Correct answer.
  2. Apply the white tip only to the long nails and leave the short one plain
  3. Build the short nail with acrylic without asking the client
  4. Refuse the service until the nail grows out

Explanation

A French manicure depends on a clean, consistent smile line, so the technician should balance the lengths and adapt the design to each nail rather than leave one nail visibly different. The change should be explained to the client before proceeding.

Question 32Nail Care and Services

When mixing liquid monomer with polymer powder for an acrylic nail, what does the correct ratio produce?

  1. A dry, crumbly bead that does not adhere
  2. A smooth, workable bead that holds its shape and has a slight sheen Correct answer.
  3. A runny bead that spreads across the sidewalls
  4. A bead that looks like a damp snowball with no shine

Explanation

A properly mixed bead holds its shape, looks slightly shiny, and stays workable long enough to be placed and shaped. Too dry a bead crumbles and lifts, while too wet a bead runs and causes lifting and overexposure.

Question 33Nail Care and Services

Which step should come first when performing a basic manicure on a new client?

  1. Applying base coat
  2. Consulting with the client and examining the hands and nails Correct answer.
  3. Buffing the nail plate
  4. Soaking the hands in a bowl

Explanation

Every service begins with a consultation and visual examination to identify contraindicating conditions, understand the client's preferences, and plan the service. Only after that assessment should the technician begin soaking, shaping, and product application.

Question 34Nail Care and Services

Which product is designed to temporarily soften the natural nail plate during a pedicure?

  1. Base coat
  2. Nail hardener
  3. Top coat
  4. Cuticle softener Correct answer.

Explanation

Cuticle softener is formulated to soften the cuticle and surrounding skin so it can be gently pushed back without tearing. Nail hardeners, base coats, and top coats are film-forming products and do not soften tissue.

Question 35Nail Care and Services

A client with a light complexion has a nail bed that appears bluish. Which action is appropriate?

  1. Apply a warm-toned polish to mask the color
  2. Proceed with the manicure and note the color as normal
  3. Buff the nail plate to improve color
  4. Ask about circulation or respiratory history and refer if the finding is new or unexplained Correct answer.

Explanation

A bluish nail bed can indicate poor oxygenation or circulatory problems, so the technician should ask about health history and refer a new or unexplained finding to a physician. Buffing or masking the color does not address a possible medical issue.

Question 36Nail Care and Services

What is the purpose of a nail primer in a liquid-and-powder enhancement service?

  1. To soften the cuticle before application
  2. To add color to the enhancement
  3. To speed up the cure of the monomer
  4. To improve adhesion between the natural nail plate and the acrylic product Correct answer.

Explanation

Primer prepares the natural nail plate so the enhancement bonds securely, reducing lifting. It is applied sparingly to the plate only, not to skin, and it does not color, cure, or soften anything.

Question 37Nail Care and Services

A client asks for a gel polish service but has peeling, flaking skin around the nail folds. What should the technician do?

  1. Apply gel polish and cover the flakes with top coat
  2. Recommend a medical evaluation and offer a service only when the skin is intact Correct answer.
  3. Use nippers to remove all peeling skin before application
  4. Apply an exfoliating scrub and continue the service

Explanation

Broken or inflamed skin around the nail folds is a barrier disruption that increases the risk of infection and product sensitivity, so the service should be postponed and the client referred. The technician should not cut or aggressively treat the skin.

Question 38Nail Care and Services

Which statement best describes the function of the hyponychium?

  1. It is the visible half-moon at the base of the nail
  2. It is the tissue that produces new nail cells
  3. It is the groove that holds the nail plate in place
  4. It is the seal between the free edge of the nail plate and the fingertip skin Correct answer.

Explanation

The hyponychium is the skin seal beneath the free edge of the nail plate, helping keep pathogens out of the nail bed area. The lunula, matrix, and nail grooves have different roles.

Question 39Nail Care and Services

A client wants a glossy finish on natural nails without polish. Which service best meets that request?

  1. A paraffin dip
  2. An acetone soak
  3. A nail buffing with a fine-grit buffer followed by a clear buffing cream Correct answer.
  4. A cuticle nipper trim

Explanation

Buffing with a fine-grit buffer and a buffing cream smooths the plate and produces a natural shine without polish. Paraffin, nipping, and acetone do not create a glossy finish and some can be harmful if misused.

Question 40Nail Care and Services

What is the recommended practice for the electric file bit when working near the cuticle area?

  1. Angle the bit into the sidewall to reach product
  2. Use a coarse bit at high speed to save time
  3. Keep the bit flat against the plate and use light pressure with a fine bit Correct answer.
  4. Use the bit only on the free edge

Explanation

Near the cuticle and sidewalls the technician should use a fine bit, keep it flat against the plate, and apply light pressure to avoid rings of fire and injury. Coarse bits at high speed or angled into the sidewall cause friction burns and cuts.

Question 41Nail Care and Services

Which factor most affects how long a client's polish lasts before chipping?

  1. The color chosen for the manicure
  2. The temperature of the soaking water
  3. The brand of the client's hand lotion
  4. Proper nail plate prep and thin, even coats sealed at the free edge Correct answer.

Explanation

Durability depends mostly on removing surface oils, applying thin and even coats, and sealing the free edge to prevent lifting and chipping. Color choice and lotion brand have little effect compared with application technique.

Question 42Nail Care and Services

What is the primary reason for using a disposable liner in a pedicure basin?

  1. To reduce cleaning time and provide a barrier between the client and the basin Correct answer.
  2. To add fragrance to the soak
  3. To make the water warmer
  4. To soften calluses faster

Explanation

A disposable liner creates a barrier so the basin is not directly contaminated and simplifies cleaning between clients. The basin must still be cleaned and disinfected after the liner is removed.

Question 43Nail Care and Services

A client's natural nails are thin and peeling after repeated gel polish removal. Which recommendation is most appropriate?

  1. Apply acrylic over the peeling nails
  2. File the plate aggressively to remove the peeling layers
  3. Apply a nail hardener and continue gel polish services
  4. Recommend a break from enhancements and use cuticle oil and a gentle buffing routine Correct answer.

Explanation

Thin, peeling nails benefit from a rest from enhancements, moisturizing with cuticle oil, and gentle care that avoids further trauma. Aggressive filing or immediately reapplying product can worsen the damage.

Question 44Nail Care and Services

Which statement about the nail matrix is correct?

  1. It is the seal under the free edge
  2. It is the area where new nail cells are produced Correct answer.
  3. It is the visible portion of the nail plate
  4. It is the skin that overlaps the nail plate at the base

Explanation

The matrix is the tissue beneath the proximal nail fold where new cells are produced and keratinized to form the nail plate. Injury to the matrix can permanently affect nail growth.

Question 45Nail Care and Services

A client reports that her acrylic nails lift along the cuticle within two days of application. Which cause is most likely?

  1. Product applied onto the skin or cuticle area Correct answer.
  2. Too much primer applied to the plate
  3. The nails were shaped with a 240-grit file
  4. The client used cuticle oil a week later

Explanation

Product that touches the cuticle or skin cannot bond to the plate and will lift early. The technician should ensure the product is placed only on the plate and the cuticle area is clean.

Question 46Nail Care and Services

Which practice best protects both the client and the technician when filing acrylic product?

  1. Filing toward the client's face
  2. Filing with the client's hands close to the face
  3. Using a dust collector and wearing a mask Correct answer.
  4. Blowing dust away with the mouth

Explanation

Acrylic dust is a respiratory irritant, so a dust collector and a mask reduce inhalation for both client and technician. Blowing dust or filing toward the face increases exposure.

Question 47Nail Care and Services

A client with a known allergy to gel polish requests a gel manicure. What is the most appropriate response?

  1. Perform the service using a different gel brand
  2. Decline the gel service and offer a polish or natural nail alternative Correct answer.
  3. Perform the service with an extra base coat as a barrier
  4. Perform the service but cure for less time

Explanation

A known allergy to gel products means the client should not receive any gel service, since brands share similar sensitizing ingredients. The technician should decline and offer an alternative that does not expose the client.

Question 48Nail Care and Services

Which action is required before reusing a metal pusher on another client?

  1. Rinse it under cold water only
  2. Wipe it with a dry cloth
  3. Spray it with a fragrance mist
  4. Clean it with soap and water and then disinfect it with an EPA-registered product Correct answer.

Explanation

Reusable implements must be cleaned of debris and then disinfected with an EPA-registered hospital-grade product according to the label. A dry wipe or water rinse does not kill pathogens.

Question 49Nail Care and Services

A client arrives with a prescription for a medical pedicure and a note from a podiatrist. What is the technician's appropriate role?

  1. Treat the condition with an over-the-counter product
  2. Perform the medical treatment described in the note
  3. Refuse any service and send the client away
  4. Perform a cosmetic pedicure within scope and follow the shop's policy for medically compromised clients Correct answer.

Explanation

A nail technician provides cosmetic services within scope and does not perform medical treatment, even with a note. The technician should follow shop policy and, when in doubt, consult the supervising professional or refer.

Question 50Nail Care and Services

Which condition of the natural nail plate makes it more difficult for polish to adhere?

  1. A lightly buffed plate
  2. A smooth, dry plate
  3. A plate with surface oil or lotion residue Correct answer.
  4. A clean, dehydrated plate

Explanation

Oil and lotion residue on the plate prevent polish from bonding, causing peeling and chipping. Cleaning and lightly dehydrating the plate improves adhesion.