Cosmetology Nail Care Services Practice Questions
Nail Care Services makes up 5 of every 50 questions on a Tigertest Cosmetology practice test. Here are 10 of the 20 questions on it, each with the answer and the reason.
Updated by the Tigertest team. These sets follow the NIC theory exam only: 110 items, 100 scored, 90 minutes (outline effective July 1, 2022). PSI states, including California from April 1, 2026, use a 120-minute outline. This bank is not weighted to PSI.
1. A client has a greenish discoloration under the nail plate. The cosmetologist should:
- A.File the nail plate thinner
- B.Refer the client and decline
- C.Apply a gel overlay to cover it
- D.Buff the stain and polish
Answer: B. Green discoloration is a bacterial infection, usually pseudomonas trapped under an enhancement or lifted plate. Infections are referred to a physician, not serviced.
2. Which nail condition may be serviced by a cosmetologist?
- A.Paronychia
- B.Tinea pedis
- C.Onychomycosis
- D.Hangnails
Answer: D. A hangnail is a split in the skin around the nail that can be trimmed and conditioned. Fungal nails, infected nail folds and athlete's foot are infections and are referred.
3. Thickened, yellow, crumbling nails most likely indicate:
- A.A fungal infection
- B.Brittle, dry nails
- C.A bruised nail bed
- D.Habitual nail biting
Answer: A. Onychomycosis lifts and thickens the plate and turns it yellow or white. It is contagious, so the service is declined and the client is referred.
4. Red, swollen, painful tissue around the nail fold is called:
- A.Leukonychia
- B.Onychorrhexis
- C.Paronychia
- D.Onychophagy
Answer: C. Paronychia is a bacterial infection of the skin around the nail, common in people whose hands are often wet. Onychophagy is nail biting and onychorrhexis is split, brittle nails.
5. White spots in the nail plate are known as:
- A.Onycholysis
- B.Koilonychia
- C.Leukonychia
- D.Melanonychia
Answer: C. Leukonychia spots usually come from minor injury to the matrix and grow out harmlessly. Melanonychia is a dark band and koilonychia is a spoon-shaped nail.
6. The nail plate lifting away from the nail bed is called:
- A.Onycholysis
- B.Onychauxis
- C.Onychatrophia
- D.Onychocryptosis
Answer: A. Onycholysis can follow injury, infection or an allergic reaction to products and leaves a pocket where infection can start. Onychauxis is overgrowth and onychatrophia is wasting of the nail.
7. Onychocryptosis is the technical name for:
- A.A bruised nail
- B.A bitten nail
- C.A split, brittle nail
- D.An ingrown nail
Answer: D. An ingrown nail grows into the side fold, most often on the big toe from tight shoes or improper filing. If the area is infected or inflamed, refer the client.
8. In a basic manicure, cuticle remover is applied:
- A.Before removing old polish
- B.After soaking the nails
- C.Before shaping the nails
- D.After the top coat
Answer: B. The order is remove polish, shape, soak, then apply cuticle remover and push back the softened cuticle. Soaking first makes the cuticle easier to lift.
9. Natural nails are filed:
- A.In a sawing motion
- B.From the side to the center
- C.Back and forth across the edge
- D.From the center to the side
Answer: B. Filing in one direction from each corner toward the center keeps the free edge from splitting. Sawing back and forth tears the layers of the plate.
10. After every pedicure, a whirlpool foot spa must be:
- A.Wiped with a towel
- B.Sprayed with alcohol
- C.Rinsed with hot tap water
- D.Cleaned and disinfected
Answer: D. The basin is drained, scrubbed, and then filled with an EPA-registered disinfectant for the label's contact time; jetted spas also need the lines flushed. Extra weekly or nightly steps vary by state.
Practice all 20 nail care services questions, and the rest of the 200-question bank, in the free Cosmetology training sets. Questions you miss come back until you have mastered them.
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