Choose clothing for success by selecting attire that is functional, comfortable, and stylish. Which option best follows this guidance for a professional image?

Professional image is the impression you project through both your outward appearance and your conduct in the workplace. Which statement aligns with this description?

Proper posture guidelines include keeping the neck elongated and balanced above the shoulders, lifting the chest so the upper body is out and up (do not slouch), and holding the shoulders level and relaxed while sitting with a straight back. Which actions exemplify proper posture? Select all that apply.

Ergonomics is the science of designing the workplace, its equipment, and tools to make specific body movements more comfortable, efficient, and safe. What is the primary focus of ergonomics?

Cleaning is a mechanical process (scrubbing) using soap and water or detergent and water to remove visible dirt, debris, and many disease-causing germs; it also removes invisible debris that interferes with disinfection. Which description best matches cleaning?

Sanitizing is a chemical process for reducing the number of disease-causing germs on cleaned surfaces to a safe level. Which option defines sanitizing?

OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration within the U.S. Department of Labor, regulates and enforces safety and health standards to protect employees in the workplace. Which statement best describes OSHA’s role?

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) include sections for first‑aid measures and for handling and storage. Which SDS section lists precautions for safe handling and storage, including incompatibilities?

State regulatory agencies can issue penalties against salons and cosmetologists that vary and include warnings, fines, probation, and suspension or revocation of licenses. What is essential for professionals regarding state laws and rules?

EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) requires that disinfectants be registered; look for an EPA registration number on the label. What should you check to confirm a disinfectant is EPA‑registered?

Laws are written by federal and state legislatures to determine scope of practice and to establish guidelines for regulatory agencies to make rules; laws are also called statutes. Which option correctly defines laws in this context?

Rules establish specific standards of conduct and can be changed or updated frequently; they are written by the regulatory agency or state board to determine how the law must be applied. Which statement describes rules?

Pathogenic bacteria are harmful microorganisms that can cause disease or infection in humans when they invade the body. Which option identifies pathogenic bacteria?

Non‑pathogenic bacteria are harmless organisms that may perform useful functions and are safe to come in contact with because they do not cause disease or harm. Which description matches non‑pathogenic bacteria?

Bloodborne pathogens can be spread through haircutting, chemical burns, shaving, nipping, clipping, facial treatments, waxing, and tweezing, particularly when the skin is broken. Which activities present a risk of spreading bloodborne pathogens during services? Select all that apply.

Cutting living skin is outside the scope of a cosmetologist’s licensed practices; only qualified medical professionals may cut living skin. What is the correct practice regarding trimming or cutting the skin around the nail plate?

Three types of hepatitis of concern in the salon are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Which set lists these types?

Hepatitis B is the most difficult to kill on a surface; check disinfectant labels to ensure effectiveness against it. Which virus is noted as most difficult to kill on surfaces in this context?

HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) and HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) are highly contagious and can be transmitted directly and indirectly; they can spread through skin‑to‑skin contact and indirectly via items like a wax pot. Which statements are accurate for both HPV and HSV? Select all that apply.

Bacteria are one‑celled microorganisms that have both plant and animal characteristics. Which definition best matches bacteria?

Staphylococci grow in clusters like bunches of grapes and can cause abscesses, pustules, and boils; MRSA is highly resistant and highly contagious. How do staphylococci typically grow?

Bacilli are short, rod‑shaped bacteria and are common producers of diseases such as tetanus, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, and diphtheria. Which form describes bacilli?

Spirilla are spiral or corkscrew‑shaped bacteria that cause diseases such as syphilis and Lyme disease. Which description identifies spirilla?

A contagious (communicable) disease spreads from one person to another. Which option defines a contagious disease?

Pus is a fluid containing white blood cells, bacteria, and dead cells; it is a byproduct of the infectious process. Which description identifies pus?

One difference between viruses and bacteria is that a virus can live and reproduce only by taking over other cells and becoming part of them, while bacteria can live and reproduce on their own. Which statement correctly contrasts viruses and bacteria?

Fungi are single‑celled organisms that grow in irregular masses including molds, mildews, and yeasts. Which description defines fungi here?

Tinea is the technical term for ringworm and is characterized by itching, scales, and sometimes painful circular lesions. What is the technical term for ringworm?

Folliculitis barbae is an inflammation of hair follicles caused by a bacterial infection. Which condition matches this description?

Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp characterized by red papules or spots at the opening of hair follicles. Which condition is described?

Tinea pedis is a ringworm fungus of the foot. Which condition corresponds to tinea pedis?

Parasites are organisms that grow, feed, and shelter on or inside another organism while contributing nothing to the survival of that organism; they can live on or inside humans and animals. Which option defines parasites?

Head lice are also called pediculosis capitis. What is another name for head lice?

Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused by the itch mite, which burrows under the skin. Which description identifies scabies?

In nail anatomy, the nail plate is the hardened keratin plate that sits on and covers the nail bed and is the most visible and functional part of the nail unit. Which term best matches this description?

Which part of the nail plate extends over the tip of the finger or toe?

Which term refers to the living skin at the base of the natural nail plate covering the matrix area?

Which term refers to the living skin bordering the root and sides of a fingernail or toenail?

Which slightly thickened layer of skin lies between the fingertip and the free edge of the nail plate?

Furrows that form around the nail plate on each side of the nail are known as what?

In the normal adult, what is the average rate of nail growth per month?

Ordinarily, how long does replacement of a natural fingernail take?

Visible depressions running across the width of the natural nail plate that may result from major illness, adverse drug reaction, surgery, or high fever are called what?

A dark purplish spot under the nail plate caused by a blood clot due to small injuries to the nail bed is best described as what?

Noticeably thin, white nail plates that are more flexible than normal, often weaker and curving over the free edge, are called what?

A condition in which the living tissue surrounding the nail plate splits or tears is known as what?

Darkening of the fingernails or toenails that may appear as a black band within the nail plate from the base to the free edge is called what?

Which term is also known as bitten nails?

Which term refers to split or brittle nails?

A highly curved nail usually caused by injury to the matrix, also known as a folded nail, is called what?

A bacterial infection on the nail plate typically progresses from a yellow‑green spot and then does what?

For reusable nail implements, what is the recommended practice regarding the disinfection solution?

Which gloves are most often used by cosmetologists when working with harsh cleaning solutions?

Thickening of nails that may require more frequent manicures is referred to as what?

An enlargement of the fingernails or toenails accompanied by increased thickening and curvature, also known as ram’s horn or claw nails, is called what?

Any deformity or disease of the natural nails is referred to by which term?

Inflammation of the nail matrix followed by shedding of the natural nail is called what?

Fungal infection of the natural nail plate is referred to as what?

Athlete’s foot, a red, itchy rash on the bottom of the feet and/or between the toes, usually found between the fourth and fifth toe, is medically known as what?

Before beginning any nail service, a hand and nail analysis should be performed to identify disease, disorders, and signs of infection such as pain, redness, swelling, throbbing, and pus. What is the main purpose of this analysis?

Lifting of the nail plate from the nail bed without shedding, often due to physical injury, trauma, or allergic reaction of the nail bed, is called what?

The separation and falling off of a nail plate from the nail bed affecting fingernails and toenails is called what?

Which field is the scientific study of hair and its diseases and care?

Which part of the hair projects above the epidermis?

Which tube‑like depression or pocket in the skin or scalp contains the hair root and is distributed all over the body except on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet?

The outermost layer of hair, consisting of a single overlapping layer of transparent, scale‑like cells that look like shingles on a roof, is called what?

Which middle layer of the hair is a fibrous protein core formed by elongated cells containing melanin pigment?

Which small, involuntary muscle located in the base of the hair follicle is responsible for goosebumps?

Which set lists the five elements that make up human hair, skin, tissue, and nails?

Which weak, physical, cross‑link side bond in hair is easily broken by water or heat?

Hydroxide chemical hair relaxers break disulfide bonds and convert them to lanthionine bonds when the relaxer is rinsed from the hair. What is true of disulfide bonds treated by hydroxide relaxers?

Which term describes the overall shape of hair strands, such as straight, wavy, curly, and extremely curly?