WA Nail Technician flashcards
WA 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.
- Hospital-grade disinfectant
- An EPA-registered product labeled to kill a broad spectrum of pathogens, including tuberculocidal activity, on nonporous implements when used at the label's dilution and contact time.
- Sterilization
- A process that destroys all microbial life, including bacterial spores, usually by autoclave; it is the only acceptable level for implements that contact blood or broken skin.
- Porous implements
- Items such as nail files, buffers, wooden sticks, and cotton that absorb liquids and cannot be reliably disinfected, so they must be discarded or given to the client.
- Universal precautions
- The practice of treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious and using gloves and barriers with every client, regardless of known health status.
- Nail matrix
- The living tissue at the base of the nail that produces new nail plate cells; injury to it causes grooves, ridges, or lasting changes in nail shape.
- Hyponychium
- The skin seal located under the free edge of the nail plate that keeps debris and microorganisms out of the nail bed.
- Fingernail growth rate
- Fingernails grow roughly 0.1 mm per day, or about one-eighth inch per month, so a complete new plate takes four to six months.
- Onychomycosis
- A fungal infection of the nail plate or bed that causes thickening, discoloration, and crumbling; it is contagious and must be referred, not treated in the salon.
- Effleurage
- A light, gliding massage stroke used in manicure and pedicure to warm tissue, relax the client, and encourage circulation toward the heart.
- Base coat
- The first polish layer, applied to a clean plate to prevent pigment staining and improve adhesion of the color coats that follow.
- Squoval nail shape
- A square nail shape with softened, rounded corners that reduces snagging while keeping a straight free edge.
- Pedicure callus reduction
- Filing or pumicing moistened callused skin on the feet, avoiding broken skin, bony prominences, and clients with diabetes or circulatory problems without medical clearance.
- Monomer
- The liquid component of acrylic systems that reacts with powder polymer to form a hard enhancement; ethyl methacrylate is preferred over methyl methacrylate.
- Apex
- The thickest point of an artificial nail, built over the stress area in zone two to give strength and a natural profile.
- Inhibition layer
- The tacky, uncured film left on the surface of a cured gel; it is wiped away with the manufacturer's cleanser before finishing.
- Nail primer
- A product applied to the prepared natural plate to improve adhesion of acrylic or gel; acid-based primers require careful avoidance of skin contact.
- Silk wrap repair
- A fine silk fabric bonded with resin across a crack or split to bridge and stabilize the natural nail or the enhancement.
- Encapsulation
- A nail art technique that seals lace, dried flowers, glitter, or designs between layers of enhancement product so the design is protected inside the nail.
- Rebalance appointment
- The two-to-three-week maintenance visit where lifted product is filed out, the stress area is rebuilt, and the enhancement is refinished.
- French manicure
- A classic style with a sheer or natural pink base and a crisp white free edge, often used as the reference for shaping a clean smile line.
- Contraindication
- A client condition, such as a contagious infection, open lesion, or product allergy, that makes a service unsafe and requires refusal, modification, or medical referral.
- Patch test
- A small amount of product applied to the skin and observed for 24 to 48 hours to check for an allergic reaction before full application.
- Open-ended question
- A question that cannot be answered with yes or no, used during consultation to draw out the client's preferences, history, and expectations.
- Scope of practice
- The legally defined set of services a licensed nail technician may perform, which excludes diagnosing, treating disease, and cutting living tissue.
- RCW 18.16
- The Washington statute that governs cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and nail technology licensing, standards, and enforcement within the state.
- WAC 308-20
- The Washington Administrative Code chapter containing Department of Licensing rules for cosmetology, including sanitation, licensing, and shop standards.
- Department of Licensing
- The Washington state agency that issues, renews, and disciplines cosmetology and nail technology licenses and investigates complaints against licensees.
- Unprofessional conduct
- Behavior defined by statute that can lead to fines, suspension, or revocation, including unsanitary practice, intoxication at work, and practicing beyond license scope.
- Safety Data Sheet
- A standardized document listing a product's hazards, safe handling, first aid, and storage requirements, kept on site for every chemical in the salon.
- Client record card
- A confidential form logging each visit's date, service, products, allergies, patch test results, and technician notes for continuity and liability protection.
- First in, first out
- An inventory rule that uses the oldest stock first so products do not expire on the shelf; opened containers are dated when first used.
- Booth rent
- A fixed periodic payment a self-employed technician pays a salon owner for space and utilities, with the technician setting their own prices and hours.