NM PMU EXAM (NEW MEXICO PERMANENT
MAKEUP) Actual Exam 2026/2027 – Complete
Questions and Answers with Detailed Rationales –
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: INFECTION CONTROL & BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS Q1 – Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A 34-year-old client just finished an eyebrow microblading session at an Albuquerque
studio. The practitioner removes the barrier film and notices dried pigment and blood on
the work surface. According to OSHA and CDC guidelines, what is the first level of
infection control appropriate for this situation?
A. Wiping the surface with an EPA-registered disinfectant wipe ✓ CORRECT
B. Placing the used machine in a sterilization pouch for the autoclave
C. Spraying the area with pure alcohol and letting it air dry
D. Washing the work surface with soap and water only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sanitation and disinfection are the first levels of infection control for
non-porous work surfaces after a procedure, and an EPA-registered disinfectant meets
OSHA standards for bloodborne pathogen cleanup. Autoclaving is sterilization, which
applies to reusable instruments, not surfaces. Alcohol alone does not qualify as an
EPA-registered intermediate-level disinfectant for blood contamination.
Question 2 of 50
,A practitioner is reviewing her exposure control plan after a needlestick incident during
a lip procedure on a 42-year-old client in a Las Cruces studio. The plan must outline
specific steps per OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standards. What is the most critical
immediate action the plan should specify?
A. Documenting the incident in the client file within 24 hours
B. Washing the affected area thoroughly with soap and water ✓ CORRECT
C. Applying a topical antibiotic ointment to the wound
D. Calling the client to ask about their vaccination history
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard requires immediate washing of the
exposed skin or mucous membrane with soap and water as the first step in any
exposure incident. Documentation and follow-up are required but secondary to
immediate decontamination. Contacting the client about their history is part of
post-exposure evaluation, not the immediate first step.
Question 3 of 50
During a busy Saturday at a Santa Fe permanent cosmetics studio, a practitioner
finishes an eyeliner procedure and reaches for a bottle of green soap to set up for the
next client. She notices the bottle was used during the previous service and the label is
worn. What does the Safety Data Sheet requirement mandate in this situation?
A. Discard the bottle immediately since the label is damaged
B. Continue using the product if it smells normal
C. Maintain readable manufacturer labels and instructions for all chemicals on site ✓
CORRECT
D. Transfer the liquid to a generic spray bottle for easier access
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: OSHA requires that Safety Data Sheets and original manufacturer labels
remain intact and readable so practitioners can identify chemical hazards and proper
, handling. Discarding is wasteful if the product is still viable; the issue is documentation.
Transferring to unlabeled containers violates hazard communication standards.
Question 4 of 50
A 28-year-old client arrives for a scalp micropigmentation consultation at a licensed
Taos establishment. The practitioner notices small red papules around the client's
hairline that appear infected. Recognizing the signs of a contagious skin condition, what
is the practitioner's professional obligation under universal precautions?
A. Proceed with the procedure while wearing double gloves
B. Apply a topical antiseptic to the lesions and continue the consultation
C. Schedule the procedure for the following week to see if it clears
D. Refuse service and advise the client to seek medical evaluation ✓ CORRECT
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: CDC Universal Precautions require treating all blood and bodily fluids as
potentially infectious, and performing permanent cosmetics over active infected lesions
poses a risk of cross-contamination and worsening the condition. Postponing without
medical clearance does not address the immediate risk, and proceeding with barriers is
never appropriate over active infection.
Question 5 of 50
A new apprentice at a Rio Rancho studio is organizing the supply closet and finds a box
of pre-sterilized needle cartridges, a bottle of surface disinfectant, and a stack of
reusable stainless steel pigment mixing trays. According to infection control hierarchy,
which item requires sterilization rather than disinfection before client contact?
A. The reusable stainless steel pigment mixing trays ✓ CORRECT
B. The pre-sterilized needle cartridges
C. The bottle of surface disinfectant
D. The disposable barrier film sheets
MAKEUP) Actual Exam 2026/2027 – Complete
Questions and Answers with Detailed Rationales –
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: INFECTION CONTROL & BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS Q1 – Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A 34-year-old client just finished an eyebrow microblading session at an Albuquerque
studio. The practitioner removes the barrier film and notices dried pigment and blood on
the work surface. According to OSHA and CDC guidelines, what is the first level of
infection control appropriate for this situation?
A. Wiping the surface with an EPA-registered disinfectant wipe ✓ CORRECT
B. Placing the used machine in a sterilization pouch for the autoclave
C. Spraying the area with pure alcohol and letting it air dry
D. Washing the work surface with soap and water only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sanitation and disinfection are the first levels of infection control for
non-porous work surfaces after a procedure, and an EPA-registered disinfectant meets
OSHA standards for bloodborne pathogen cleanup. Autoclaving is sterilization, which
applies to reusable instruments, not surfaces. Alcohol alone does not qualify as an
EPA-registered intermediate-level disinfectant for blood contamination.
Question 2 of 50
,A practitioner is reviewing her exposure control plan after a needlestick incident during
a lip procedure on a 42-year-old client in a Las Cruces studio. The plan must outline
specific steps per OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standards. What is the most critical
immediate action the plan should specify?
A. Documenting the incident in the client file within 24 hours
B. Washing the affected area thoroughly with soap and water ✓ CORRECT
C. Applying a topical antibiotic ointment to the wound
D. Calling the client to ask about their vaccination history
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard requires immediate washing of the
exposed skin or mucous membrane with soap and water as the first step in any
exposure incident. Documentation and follow-up are required but secondary to
immediate decontamination. Contacting the client about their history is part of
post-exposure evaluation, not the immediate first step.
Question 3 of 50
During a busy Saturday at a Santa Fe permanent cosmetics studio, a practitioner
finishes an eyeliner procedure and reaches for a bottle of green soap to set up for the
next client. She notices the bottle was used during the previous service and the label is
worn. What does the Safety Data Sheet requirement mandate in this situation?
A. Discard the bottle immediately since the label is damaged
B. Continue using the product if it smells normal
C. Maintain readable manufacturer labels and instructions for all chemicals on site ✓
CORRECT
D. Transfer the liquid to a generic spray bottle for easier access
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: OSHA requires that Safety Data Sheets and original manufacturer labels
remain intact and readable so practitioners can identify chemical hazards and proper
, handling. Discarding is wasteful if the product is still viable; the issue is documentation.
Transferring to unlabeled containers violates hazard communication standards.
Question 4 of 50
A 28-year-old client arrives for a scalp micropigmentation consultation at a licensed
Taos establishment. The practitioner notices small red papules around the client's
hairline that appear infected. Recognizing the signs of a contagious skin condition, what
is the practitioner's professional obligation under universal precautions?
A. Proceed with the procedure while wearing double gloves
B. Apply a topical antiseptic to the lesions and continue the consultation
C. Schedule the procedure for the following week to see if it clears
D. Refuse service and advise the client to seek medical evaluation ✓ CORRECT
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: CDC Universal Precautions require treating all blood and bodily fluids as
potentially infectious, and performing permanent cosmetics over active infected lesions
poses a risk of cross-contamination and worsening the condition. Postponing without
medical clearance does not address the immediate risk, and proceeding with barriers is
never appropriate over active infection.
Question 5 of 50
A new apprentice at a Rio Rancho studio is organizing the supply closet and finds a box
of pre-sterilized needle cartridges, a bottle of surface disinfectant, and a stack of
reusable stainless steel pigment mixing trays. According to infection control hierarchy,
which item requires sterilization rather than disinfection before client contact?
A. The reusable stainless steel pigment mixing trays ✓ CORRECT
B. The pre-sterilized needle cartridges
C. The bottle of surface disinfectant
D. The disposable barrier film sheets
