1. A client accidentally gets a small amount of hair color in their eye during a
service. What is the correct immediate response?
a) Apply a warm compress to the eye
b) Rub the eye gently with a clean towel
c) Flush eye with plenty of clean water
d) Use eye drops to neutralize the color
Rationale: Flushing with clean water dilutes and removes the chemical, preventing
further injury; rubbing or using drops can worsen irritation.
2. You are performing a manicure and accidentally nick the client’s skin, causing
minor bleeding. After stopping the service, what is the next step?
a) Apply nail glue to seal the cut
b) Immediately flood the exposed area with water
c) Cover with a dry bandage without cleaning
d) Continue the service on another hand
Rationale: Flooding with water is the first step for any blood exposure to dilute and
remove infectious materials before further decontamination.
3. Which type of cleaning method is required to completely destroy bacterial spores
on metal implements?
a) Sanitizing
b) Disinfecting
c) Sterilization
d) Deodorizing
Rationale: Sterilization is the only level that kills all microorganisms including
bacterial spores; sanitizing and disinfecting do not kill spores.
4. A stylist is applying acrylic nails in a small, enclosed back room. What is the best
safety practice?
a) Use a small fan blowing toward the client
b) Work at a ventilated work table
, c) Open a window only after finishing
d) Wear a surgical mask only
Rationale: Proper ventilation at the work table reduces inhalation of monomer
vapors and dust, protecting both stylist and client.
5. You drop a pair of metal shears on the floor during a haircut. What is the first
step in making them safe for the next client?
a) Wipe with a dry cloth
b) Spray with alcohol immediately
c) Scrub with soap and water
d) Place directly in an autoclave
Rationale: Cleaning with soap and water removes visible debris and is always the
first step before disinfection or sterilization.
6. A client has a small, red, itchy bump on their wrist that the client says is from
scabies. How should you classify this organism?
a) Virus
b) Bacteria
c) Fungus
d) Parasite
Rationale: Scabies is caused by a mite, which is a parasite; it is not a virus,
bacteria, or fungus.
7. During a blood exposure incident, a surface is contaminated with a small drop of
blood. According to Decontamination Method 2, what should be done?
a) Wipe and reuse immediately
b) Cleaning then sterilizing
c) Just spray with disinfectant
d) Cover with plastic for 24 hours
Rationale: Method 2 requires cleaning followed by sterilization for items
contaminated with blood or infectious materials.
8. A client requests a plain manicure with no cuticle cutting. Do you need to wear
gloves?
a) Yes, always for any nail service
b) No, a plain manicure does not require gloves
, c) Only if the client has visible dirt
d) Only if you have a cut on your hand
Rationale: Gloves are not required for plain manicures without blood exposure;
they are required for services involving potential contact with blood or body fluids.
9. A client has excessively oily skin and hair. Which type of scalp treatment is most
appropriate?
a) Dry hair and scalp treatment
b) Treatment for oily scalp and hair
c) Clarifying only
d) Protein conditioning treatment
Rationale: Oily conditions require treatments designed to reduce sebum production;
dry treatments would worsen the condition.
10. While using a clipper on a client, you accidentally cut your own glove and see
blood. What is your first action?
a) Finish the cut and then glove change
b) Stop the service
c) Apply pressure to your own cut
d) Call your supervisor
Rationale: Stopping the service immediately is the first step in a blood exposure
incident to prevent further contamination.
11. You are disinfecting a foot spa after a pedicure. What is the first thing you
should do?
a) Add disinfectant to the water
b) Run the spa with hot water only
c) Drain the water and remove visible debris
d) Wipe the outside with alcohol
Rationale: Draining and removing debris removes gross contamination before
applying any disinfectant.
12. Which organization sets the safety standards that certify pedicure chairs and
hair dryers for electrical safety?
a) FDA
b) EPA
, c) Underwriters Laboratories
d) OSHA
Rationale: Underwriters Laboratories (UL) tests and certifies electrical equipment
for safety in salons.
13. A client has a small minor burn from a hot iron. What should you do first?
a) Apply butter or oil
b) Immerse in cold water
c) Break any blisters
d) Wrap tightly in a bandage
Rationale: Immersing in cold water immediately cools the burn, reduces pain, and
limits tissue damage.
14. A tuberculocidal disinfectant label states it requires special handling. Why is this
necessary?
a) It evaporates too quickly
b) It requires a special method of disposal
c) It turns into a gas at room temperature
d) It must be refrigerated
Rationale: Tuberculocidal disinfectants are often hazardous waste and require
special disposal to protect the environment and personnel.
15. A client with very fine, fragile hair wants a permanent wave. Which phase of
hair growth are most of their hairs likely in if growth is slow?
a) Anagen
b) Catagen
c) Telogen
d) Exogen
Rationale: Catagen is the brief transition phase between growth and resting; fine
fragile hair often has shorter anagen and longer catagen/telogen phases.
16. Which type of disinfectant must be used to stop a virus from taking over a host
cell’s reproductive function?
a) Bactericidal
b) Fungicidal
c) Virucidal
service. What is the correct immediate response?
a) Apply a warm compress to the eye
b) Rub the eye gently with a clean towel
c) Flush eye with plenty of clean water
d) Use eye drops to neutralize the color
Rationale: Flushing with clean water dilutes and removes the chemical, preventing
further injury; rubbing or using drops can worsen irritation.
2. You are performing a manicure and accidentally nick the client’s skin, causing
minor bleeding. After stopping the service, what is the next step?
a) Apply nail glue to seal the cut
b) Immediately flood the exposed area with water
c) Cover with a dry bandage without cleaning
d) Continue the service on another hand
Rationale: Flooding with water is the first step for any blood exposure to dilute and
remove infectious materials before further decontamination.
3. Which type of cleaning method is required to completely destroy bacterial spores
on metal implements?
a) Sanitizing
b) Disinfecting
c) Sterilization
d) Deodorizing
Rationale: Sterilization is the only level that kills all microorganisms including
bacterial spores; sanitizing and disinfecting do not kill spores.
4. A stylist is applying acrylic nails in a small, enclosed back room. What is the best
safety practice?
a) Use a small fan blowing toward the client
b) Work at a ventilated work table
, c) Open a window only after finishing
d) Wear a surgical mask only
Rationale: Proper ventilation at the work table reduces inhalation of monomer
vapors and dust, protecting both stylist and client.
5. You drop a pair of metal shears on the floor during a haircut. What is the first
step in making them safe for the next client?
a) Wipe with a dry cloth
b) Spray with alcohol immediately
c) Scrub with soap and water
d) Place directly in an autoclave
Rationale: Cleaning with soap and water removes visible debris and is always the
first step before disinfection or sterilization.
6. A client has a small, red, itchy bump on their wrist that the client says is from
scabies. How should you classify this organism?
a) Virus
b) Bacteria
c) Fungus
d) Parasite
Rationale: Scabies is caused by a mite, which is a parasite; it is not a virus,
bacteria, or fungus.
7. During a blood exposure incident, a surface is contaminated with a small drop of
blood. According to Decontamination Method 2, what should be done?
a) Wipe and reuse immediately
b) Cleaning then sterilizing
c) Just spray with disinfectant
d) Cover with plastic for 24 hours
Rationale: Method 2 requires cleaning followed by sterilization for items
contaminated with blood or infectious materials.
8. A client requests a plain manicure with no cuticle cutting. Do you need to wear
gloves?
a) Yes, always for any nail service
b) No, a plain manicure does not require gloves
, c) Only if the client has visible dirt
d) Only if you have a cut on your hand
Rationale: Gloves are not required for plain manicures without blood exposure;
they are required for services involving potential contact with blood or body fluids.
9. A client has excessively oily skin and hair. Which type of scalp treatment is most
appropriate?
a) Dry hair and scalp treatment
b) Treatment for oily scalp and hair
c) Clarifying only
d) Protein conditioning treatment
Rationale: Oily conditions require treatments designed to reduce sebum production;
dry treatments would worsen the condition.
10. While using a clipper on a client, you accidentally cut your own glove and see
blood. What is your first action?
a) Finish the cut and then glove change
b) Stop the service
c) Apply pressure to your own cut
d) Call your supervisor
Rationale: Stopping the service immediately is the first step in a blood exposure
incident to prevent further contamination.
11. You are disinfecting a foot spa after a pedicure. What is the first thing you
should do?
a) Add disinfectant to the water
b) Run the spa with hot water only
c) Drain the water and remove visible debris
d) Wipe the outside with alcohol
Rationale: Draining and removing debris removes gross contamination before
applying any disinfectant.
12. Which organization sets the safety standards that certify pedicure chairs and
hair dryers for electrical safety?
a) FDA
b) EPA
, c) Underwriters Laboratories
d) OSHA
Rationale: Underwriters Laboratories (UL) tests and certifies electrical equipment
for safety in salons.
13. A client has a small minor burn from a hot iron. What should you do first?
a) Apply butter or oil
b) Immerse in cold water
c) Break any blisters
d) Wrap tightly in a bandage
Rationale: Immersing in cold water immediately cools the burn, reduces pain, and
limits tissue damage.
14. A tuberculocidal disinfectant label states it requires special handling. Why is this
necessary?
a) It evaporates too quickly
b) It requires a special method of disposal
c) It turns into a gas at room temperature
d) It must be refrigerated
Rationale: Tuberculocidal disinfectants are often hazardous waste and require
special disposal to protect the environment and personnel.
15. A client with very fine, fragile hair wants a permanent wave. Which phase of
hair growth are most of their hairs likely in if growth is slow?
a) Anagen
b) Catagen
c) Telogen
d) Exogen
Rationale: Catagen is the brief transition phase between growth and resting; fine
fragile hair often has shorter anagen and longer catagen/telogen phases.
16. Which type of disinfectant must be used to stop a virus from taking over a host
cell’s reproductive function?
a) Bactericidal
b) Fungicidal
c) Virucidal
