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TN Esthetician study materials
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TN Esthetician practice questions

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Question 1Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which process destroys all microbial life, including bacterial spores, on an implement?

  1. Sterilization Correct answer.
  2. Cleaning
  3. Sanitizing
  4. Disinfection

Explanation

Sterilization is the highest level of microbial control and eliminates all forms of microbial life, including highly resistant bacterial spores. Disinfection and sanitizing reduce organisms but do not reliably destroy spores, and cleaning only removes visible debris.

Question 2Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

During routine handwashing, how long should you lather and scrub your hands?

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

Explanation

Health agencies recommend scrubbing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, covering the backs of the hands, between the fingers, and under the nails. Shorter times do not give the soap enough contact time to help remove transient organisms.

Question 3Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which item must be discarded after a single client and never reused?

  1. A metal cuticle pusher
  2. A disposable mascara wand Correct answer.
  3. A stainless steel tweezer
  4. A glass mixing dish

Explanation

Porous, absorbent, or single-use items such as disposable mascara wands cannot be adequately cleaned and disinfected, so they are used once and discarded. Metal and glass implements are nonporous and can be cleaned and disinfected for reuse.

Question 4Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Where should an esthetician look for handling, storage, and first-aid information about a professional product?

  1. The client intake form
  2. The Safety Data Sheet Correct answer.
  3. The state licensing statute
  4. The supplier's invoice

Explanation

The Safety Data Sheet, formerly called the MSDS, provides hazard, handling, storage, and first-aid information for a chemical product. It is the standard reference employees are entitled to review in the workplace.

Question 5Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A client arrives with a weeping, crusted cold sore on the upper lip. What should the esthetician do?

  1. Double-glove and continue the service
  2. Refer the client to a physician Correct answer.
  3. Work around the area and finish the facial
  4. Apply an antiseptic and proceed

Explanation

An active herpes simplex lesion is contagious and is a contraindication for facial services in that area. The client should be rescheduled once the lesion has healed, and referral to a physician is appropriate.

Question 6Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

How should blood-stained gauze from a waxing service be handled?

  1. Put it in the regular trash
  2. Seal it in a biohazard bag Correct answer.
  3. Flush it down the toilet
  4. Keep it in a drawer until closing

Explanation

Materials saturated with blood or body fluids are potentially infectious and must be placed in a labeled, sealed biohazard container for proper disposal. Ordinary trash and storage in work areas create exposure risks for staff and clients.

Question 7Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which of these is a nonporous implement that can be disinfected and reused?

  1. A cotton pledget
  2. A stainless steel tweezer Correct answer.
  3. A wooden orange-wood stick
  4. A foam cosmetic wedge

Explanation

Nonporous materials such as stainless steel can be cleaned and then disinfected with an appropriate product for reuse. Wood, cotton, and foam are porous or absorbent and cannot be reliably disinfected, so they are single-use.

Question 8Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Antiseptics are formulated to be used on which surface?

  1. Skin Correct answer.
  2. Countertops
  3. Linens
  4. Implements

Explanation

Antiseptics are designed for use on living tissue such as skin to reduce microorganisms, and they are gentler than disinfectants. Disinfectants are stronger and are intended for nonliving surfaces and implements.

Question 9Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

How long an implement must stay in contact with a disinfectant is determined by:

  1. The manufacturer's label directions Correct answer.
  2. The size of the soaking jar
  3. The number of clients booked that day
  4. The salon owner's preference

Explanation

Each disinfectant has label directions specifying dilution and the required contact time to achieve its claims. Following the label is a legal and practical requirement; shortening the time can leave pathogens viable.

Question 10Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Standard steam autoclave sterilization of metal implements typically requires:

  1. 350 degrees F at 30 psi for 60 minutes
  2. 250 degrees F at 15 psi for 15 to 20 minutes Correct answer.
  3. 212 degrees F at atmospheric pressure for 10 minutes
  4. 120 degrees F at 5 psi for 5 minutes

Explanation

Steam under pressure raises the temperature above boiling, and typical settings are about 250 degrees F at 15 psi for 15 to 20 minutes. This combination of heat, moisture, pressure, and time is what destroys spores.

Question 11Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

What does an EPA registration number on a disinfectant label indicate?

  1. It has been tested for allergic reactions
  2. Its label claims have been reviewed by the EPA Correct answer.
  3. The FDA has approved it for skin contact
  4. It meets licensing rules in every state

Explanation

EPA registration means the product's label claims and directions have been reviewed for efficacy against the organisms listed. It does not mean the product is safe for skin, and state boards may impose additional requirements.

Question 12Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

An implement is dropped on the floor mid-service. What is the correct action?

  1. Wipe it on a towel and continue
  2. Rinse it with water and continue
  3. Use it only on the nails, not the skin
  4. Clean and disinfect it before reuse Correct answer.

Explanation

Any implement that contacts the floor is contaminated and must be removed from service, then cleaned and disinfected before it touches another client. Wiping or rinsing does not remove or kill microorganisms.

Question 13Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which vaccine does the CDC recommend for workers with occupational exposure to blood and body fluids?

  1. Herpes simplex vaccine
  2. Hepatitis B vaccine Correct answer.
  3. Human papillomavirus vaccine
  4. Rhinovirus vaccine

Explanation

Hepatitis B is spread through blood and body fluids and survives on surfaces, so vaccination is recommended for anyone with occupational exposure risk. There is no vaccine for herpes simplex or the common cold, and HPV vaccine is not tied to salon exposure.

Question 14Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

You are cut by a contaminated sharp during a service. What should you do first?

  1. Wash with soap and water and report it Correct answer.
  2. Report it at the end of the shift
  3. Bandage it and finish the client first
  4. Soak the wound in disinfectant

Explanation

Immediate washing with soap and water reduces the infectious dose, after which the exposure should be reported right away so follow-up can be arranged. Delaying care or applying harsh chemicals increases risk and harm.

Question 15Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Why is it unsafe to combine two different disinfectants in one container?

  1. It makes the product evaporate faster
  2. It voids the mixing container warranty
  3. It can release toxic gas or reduce the product's effectiveness Correct answer.
  4. The mixture always changes color

Explanation

Mixing chemicals can produce dangerous reactions, including release of toxic fumes, and can also alter the concentration so the disinfectant no longer meets its label claims. Products should always be used exactly as directed.

Question 16Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Quaternary ammonium compounds are most commonly used to:

  1. Sanitize hands between clients
  2. Clean the skin before waxing
  3. Sterilize metal in an autoclave
  4. Disinfect nonporous surfaces and implements Correct answer.

Explanation

Quats are low-level disinfectants formulated for environmental surfaces and nonporous implements after cleaning. They are not sterilants, and they are not intended for use on skin or as hand sanitizers.

Question 17Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

What should you do before cleaning electrical equipment located near a sink?

  1. Unplug it and keep cords away from water Correct answer.
  2. Leave it plugged in so you can see it is on
  3. Spray disinfectant directly on the device
  4. Wipe it with a wet towel while it runs

Explanation

Electricity and water together create a shock hazard, so equipment should be unplugged before cleaning and cords kept clear of water. Spraying or wiping with excess liquid can force moisture into the housing.

Question 18Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

How should a spray bottle of disinfectant be maintained?

  1. Pour it into an unmarked bottle
  2. Keep it until the solution looks cloudy
  3. Label it and replace it per directions Correct answer.
  4. Top it off with water when it runs low

Explanation

Solutions must be mixed and replaced according to the manufacturer's directions, and containers must be labeled to prevent misuse and confusion. Diluting a ready-to-use product or storing it in an unmarked bottle changes its strength or creates a hazard.

Question 19Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

After each pedicure, a whirlpool footbath must be:

  1. Sprayed with air freshener
  2. Rinsed with hot water only
  3. Wiped with a towel and refilled
  4. Drained, cleaned, and disinfected Correct answer.

Explanation

Footbaths harbor biofilm and debris in the jets and screens, so they must be drained, cleaned, and disinfected according to the manufacturer's directions after every client. Wiping or rinsing alone leaves organisms behind.

Question 20Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

A client has intense itching between the fingers and on the wrists that worsens at night. This most likely indicates:

  1. Contact dermatitis
  2. Scabies Correct answer.
  3. Herpes zoster
  4. Tinea corporis

Explanation

Burrows between the fingers and on the wrists with itching that is worse at night are classic for scabies, which is highly contagious. Service should be declined and the client referred to a physician.

Question 21Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

An esthetician scoops product with a spatula, applies it to a client's face, then dips the same spatula back into the jar. Why is this unacceptable?

  1. It can contaminate the entire jar Correct answer.
  2. It wastes too much product
  3. It changes the product's pH
  4. It will corrode the spatula

Explanation

Returning a used spatula to the container introduces skin cells, oils, and microorganisms into the remaining product, where they can multiply and be spread to later clients. Single-use spatulas or a clean scoop per portion prevent this cross-contamination.

Question 22Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which sequence correctly handles a reusable metal extractor after use on a client?

  1. Spray it with disinfectant and wipe it dry
  2. Soak it in water overnight, then use it
  3. Clean, dry, then disinfect for the full contact time Correct answer.
  4. Disinfect it, then wash and store it

Explanation

Disinfection only works on a surface that is free of soil, because oils and debris shield organisms and can inactivate the chemical. Cleaning, drying, and then applying the disinfectant for the labeled contact time is the required order.

Question 23Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which statement about bacterial spores is accurate?

  1. They are a type of fungus
  2. They are destroyed by soap and water
  3. They are the most resistant form of microbial life Correct answer.
  4. Standard hospital disinfectants always kill them

Explanation

Spores are dormant, highly resistant structures that survive heat, drying, and many chemicals, which is why only sterilization is relied upon to destroy them. Standard disinfectants are not sporicidal, and spores are bacterial, not fungal.

Question 24Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Why must implements be cleaned before they are disinfected?

  1. Disinfectants only work in hot water
  2. Cleaning makes the implement look shiny
  3. Dirty implements are difficult to identify
  4. Debris shields microbes and can neutralize the disinfectant Correct answer.

Explanation

Oils, skin cells, and product residue create a barrier that protects microorganisms and can chemically interfere with the disinfectant. Removing that soil first allows the disinfectant to contact and kill organisms on the surface.

Question 25Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

How is an autoclave's effectiveness best verified?

  1. By the digital display alone
  2. By watching the color of the steam
  3. With biological spore tests and chemical indicators Correct answer.
  4. By how long the unit has been owned

Explanation

Chemical indicators show that the package reached the required conditions, while biological spore tests confirm that the cycle actually killed highly resistant organisms. Relying on gauges or temperature displays alone does not prove sterility.

Question 26Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

During routine handwashing with soap and water, what is the minimum amount of time the hands should be lathered and rubbed together?

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

Explanation

Routine handwashing should involve lathering and vigorous rubbing of all surfaces of the hands and wrists for at least 20 seconds before rinsing. Shorter times do not give soap enough contact time to lift and remove transient microorganisms. Longer times are not harmful but are not the minimum standard.

Question 27Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

What is the primary purpose of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for a salon product?

  1. To record each client's consent for the service
  2. To show the manufacturer's suggested retail price
  3. To document the salon's local inspection score
  4. To communicate hazards, safe handling, and first-aid measures Correct answer.

Explanation

An SDS is a standardized document supplied by the manufacturer that describes a product's hazards, safe use and storage, protective measures, and emergency first-aid steps. It must be accessible to employees who work with the product. It is not a business, consent, or pricing record.

Question 28Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Midway through a facial, an esthetician notices that one glove has torn. What is the correct response?

  1. Remove the gloves, wash hands, then put on new gloves Correct answer.
  2. Finish the service, then wash hands and change gloves
  3. Wipe the torn glove with disinfectant and keep working
  4. Apply hand sanitizer over the glove and continue

Explanation

A torn glove no longer serves as a barrier, so the contaminated glove must be removed immediately, hands washed with soap and water, and a fresh pair of gloves applied before contact with the client resumes. Continuing the service leaves the esthetician's hands and the client exposed. Disinfectant or sanitizer applied to a torn glove does not restore the barrier.

Question 29Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

Which item must be placed in a sharps container rather than the regular trash?

  1. An empty glass serum bottle
  2. A disposable wooden spatula
  3. A used single-use razor blade Correct answer.
  4. A cotton pad soaked with toner

Explanation

Sharps containers are rigid, puncture-resistant, closable containers designated for items that can cut or pierce skin, such as used razor blades and needles. Placing blades in ordinary trash risks injury and exposure for anyone handling the waste. Soiled soft items and intact glass or wood are handled according to other waste rules.

Question 30Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety

An esthetician develops a weeping, infected sore on one hand. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Double-glove over the sore and limit services to waxing
  2. Refrain from client contact until the lesion heals, per policy Correct answer.
  3. Swab the sore with disinfectant before each service
  4. Bandage the sore and continue all services as usual

Explanation

An actively infected, weeping lesion cannot be reliably contained by a bandage or gloves, and the worker should be excluded from direct client contact until it resolves, following the employer's exposure-control policy and any required medical clearance. Draining lesions can transmit pathogenic bacteria to clients and to surfaces. Disinfectants are not for use on skin and do not make an infected worker safe to provide services.

Question 31Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology of the Skin

From outermost to innermost, what is the correct order of the three main layers of the skin?

  1. Dermis, epidermis, subcutaneous layer
  2. Subcutaneous layer, dermis, epidermis
  3. Epidermis, subcutaneous layer, dermis
  4. Epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous layer Correct answer.

Explanation

The skin is organized with the epidermis on the surface, the dermis beneath it, and the subcutaneous (hypodermal) layer deepest, where fat is stored. Each deeper layer supplies structure, nourishment, or insulation to the layers above it.

Question 32Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology of the Skin

Which glands of the skin produce perspiration?

  1. Sebaceous glands
  2. Sudoriferous glands Correct answer.
  3. Ceruminous (wax) glands
  4. Adrenal glands

Explanation

Sudoriferous glands are the sweat glands; their secretion, perspiration, travels to the skin surface and helps cool the body. Sebaceous glands instead produce an oily sebum.

Question 33Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology of the Skin

Which vitamin is manufactured in the skin when it is exposed to ultraviolet light?

  1. Vitamin C
  2. Vitamin K
  3. Vitamin A
  4. Vitamin D Correct answer.

Explanation

Ultraviolet light converts a cholesterol-related compound in the skin into vitamin D, which is then activated by the liver and kidneys. This is one of the skin's metabolic functions.

Question 34Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology of the Skin

The deepest layer of the epidermis, where new skin cells are formed, is the:

  1. Stratum granulosum
  2. Stratum corneum
  3. Stratum lucidum
  4. Stratum basale Correct answer.

Explanation

The stratum basale (also called the stratum germinativum) rests on the basement membrane and divides to produce new keratinocytes that migrate upward. It also houses melanocytes.

Question 35Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology of the Skin

Which layer of the skin stores fat and helps insulate the body?

  1. Epidermis
  2. Subcutaneous layer Correct answer.
  3. Papillary dermis
  4. Stratum granulosum

Explanation

The subcutaneous layer, or hypodermis, is composed largely of adipose tissue that cushions underlying structures and insulates against heat loss. It also anchors the skin to muscle and bone.

Question 36Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology of the Skin

Which cells produce the pigment that gives skin its color?

  1. Keratinocytes
  2. Langerhans cells
  3. Melanocytes Correct answer.
  4. Fibroblasts

Explanation

Melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis synthesize melanin and transfer it to surrounding keratinocytes. Melanin absorbs ultraviolet radiation and determines skin and hair color.

Question 37Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology of the Skin

Which pair of layers makes up the dermis?

  1. Papillary layer and reticular layer Correct answer.
  2. Stratum corneum and stratum lucidum
  3. Epidermis and hypodermis
  4. Stratum basale and stratum spinosum

Explanation

The dermis consists of a thin upper papillary layer of loose connective tissue and a thicker deeper reticular layer of dense collagen and elastin. The two layers differ in fiber density and in the structures they contain.

Question 38Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology of the Skin

The protective film on the skin surface that inhibits bacteria has a pH of approximately:

  1. 2.5 to 3.5
  2. 1.5 to 2.5
  3. 8.0 to 9.0
  4. 4.5 to 5.5 Correct answer.

Explanation

The acid mantle is a mixture of sebum and perspiration with a pH of about 4.5 to 5.5, which is mildly acidic. This acidity discourages the growth of many pathogenic organisms and helps maintain barrier function.

Question 39Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology of the Skin

Which fibrous protein forms the bulk of the epidermis and gives skin its protective, waterproof quality?

  1. Sebum
  2. Collagen
  3. Keratin Correct answer.
  4. Elastin

Explanation

Keratin is produced by keratinocytes as they move toward the surface; it makes cells tough and water-resistant. Collagen and elastin are dermal proteins that provide support and stretch, not surface waterproofing.

Question 40Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology of the Skin

Small muscles attached to hair follicles contract in cold or frightening situations and produce goose bumps. These muscles are the:

  1. Papillary muscles
  2. Orbicularis muscles
  3. Arrector pili muscles Correct answer.
  4. Dilator muscles

Explanation

The arrector pili muscle attaches to the base of each hair follicle and to the papillary dermis. Contraction pulls the hair upright, creating a bump at the skin surface and trapping a layer of air for warmth.

Question 41Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology of the Skin

Sebaceous glands secrete sebum, which is delivered:

  1. Into the hair follicle Correct answer.
  2. Onto the skin surface through sweat pores
  3. Into the subcutaneous fat layer
  4. Into the bloodstream through capillaries

Explanation

Sebaceous glands are attached to hair follicles and empty their oily sebum into the follicle, which carries it to the skin surface. Sebum lubricates skin and hair and contributes to the acid mantle.

Question 42Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology of the Skin

Because the epidermis contains no blood vessels, how are its cells nourished?

  1. Through lymphatic vessels that reach the stratum corneum
  2. Through sebaceous ducts that carry fluid
  3. By diffusion from capillaries in the dermis Correct answer.
  4. By nerve endings that transport nutrients

Explanation

The epidermis is avascular; oxygen and nutrients diffuse from capillaries in the upper dermis across the basement membrane. This is why very deep epidermal injury heals more slowly than superficial injury.

Question 43Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology of the Skin

Which sensory receptor lies deep in the dermis and responds to pressure and vibration?

  1. Pacinian corpuscles Correct answer.
  2. Meissner's corpuscles
  3. Merkel cells
  4. Free nerve endings

Explanation

Pacinian corpuscles are large, layered receptors located in the deeper dermis and subcutaneous tissue; they detect deep pressure and vibration. Different receptors are specialized for different sensations and depths.

Question 44Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology of the Skin

Which cells of the dermis produce collagen and elastin?

  1. Fibroblasts Correct answer.
  2. Adipocytes
  3. Melanocytes
  4. Keratinocytes

Explanation

Fibroblasts are the principal cells of the dermis and manufacture collagen, elastin, and the ground substance that holds them. Their activity determines the skin's firmness and elasticity.

Question 45Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology of the Skin

Water, salt, and small amounts of waste leave the body through perspiration. This skin function is called:

  1. Absorption
  2. Excretion Correct answer.
  3. Protection
  4. Sensation

Explanation

Excretion is the elimination of waste products and water through perspiration by the sudoriferous glands. It is distinct from secretion, in which glands such as sebaceous glands release useful substances onto the surface.

Question 46Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology of the Skin

The clear stratum lucidum is present only in:

  1. The palms and soles Correct answer.
  2. The eyelids and genital area
  3. The abdomen and thighs
  4. The scalp and the back

Explanation

The stratum lucidum is a thin translucent layer found where the skin is thickest and subject to friction, namely the palms and soles. Thin skin elsewhere lacks this layer.

Question 47Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology of the Skin

From deepest to most superficial, the layers of the epidermis in thick skin are:

  1. Stratum spinosum, stratum basale, stratum granulosum, stratum corneum, stratum lucidum
  2. Stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, stratum corneum Correct answer.
  3. Stratum corneum, stratum lucidum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, stratum basale
  4. Stratum basale, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, stratum lucidum, stratum corneum

Explanation

Cells are born in the stratum basale, flatten and keratinize as they pass through the spinosum and granulosum, pass through the clear lucidum in thick skin, and finally reach the dead-cell layer, the corneum. The sequence reflects progressive maturation and keratinization.

Question 48Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology of the Skin

Which epidermal cells act as part of the immune system by engulfing and processing foreign substances?

  1. Merkel cells
  2. Melanocytes
  3. Keratinocytes
  4. Langerhans cells Correct answer.

Explanation

Langerhans cells are star-shaped cells scattered in the epidermis that trap antigens and present them to the immune system. They form an important first line of defense in the skin.

Question 49Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology of the Skin

Apocrine sweat glands differ from eccrine glands in that apocrine glands:

  1. Become active before puberty begins
  2. Secrete mainly water and salt onto the skin
  3. Empty into hair follicles in the axillae and groin Correct answer.
  4. Are distributed over most of the body surface

Explanation

Apocrine glands are limited largely to the axillae and groin, open into hair follicles rather than directly onto the surface, and become active at puberty. Their thicker secretion is broken down by bacteria, which produces body odor.

Question 50Anatomy, Physiology, and Histology of the Skin

The reticular layer of the dermis is composed mainly of:

  1. Dense collagen and elastin fibers Correct answer.
  2. Adipose tissue with loose connective tissue
  3. Capillary loops that supply the epidermis
  4. Keratinized cells in thin layers

Explanation

The reticular layer is the thick, deep portion of the dermis, packed with dense collagen bundles for strength and elastin fibers for recoil. Its fiber density gives skin its firmness and resistance to tearing.