20 Infection Control & Safety Practice Questions & Answers

1. 1. In most salons, what is the highest level of decontamination that is required and practical for multi-use implements?

   • A.Sanitation
   • B.Disinfection✓ Answer
   • C.Fumigation
   • D.Sterilization

   Disinfection is the required standard for salon multi-use implements because it kills most pathogens on nonporous surfaces; true sterilization destroys all microbial life including spores and requires an autoclave, which is a medical rather than salon procedure.

   Source: NIC Cosmetology Theory: Levels of DecontaminationReport a problem with this question

2. 2. Which level of decontamination is the lowest — it reduces the number of pathogens but does NOT kill all of them?

   • A.Antisepsis of a wound
   • B.Disinfection
   • C.Sterilization
   • D.Sanitation (sanitizing)✓ Answer

   Sanitation is the lowest level of decontamination; it lowers the number of pathogens to safer levels (for example, washing hands or cleaning a surface with soap and water) but does not kill all microbes the way disinfection or sterilization does.

   Source: NIC Cosmetology Theory: Levels of Decontamination (sanitation)Report a problem with this question

3. 3. Which process destroys ALL microbial life, including bacterial spores?

   • A.Deodorizing
   • B.Disinfection
   • C.Sanitation
   • D.Sterilization✓ Answer

   Sterilization is defined as the complete destruction of all microbial life, including highly resistant bacterial spores, typically achieved with an autoclave using pressurized steam; disinfection does not reliably kill spores.

   Source: NIC Cosmetology Theory: Sterilization definitionReport a problem with this question

4. 4. An EPA-registered disinfectant appropriate for salon implements must be effective against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It is labeled as a:

   • A.Hospital-grade disinfectant (bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal)✓ Answer
   • B.A skin antiseptic
   • C.A general-purpose surface cleaner
   • D.An air deodorizer

   Salon implements require an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant that is bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal; a cleaner only removes dirt, and antiseptics are for skin (living tissue), not for disinfecting tools.

   Source: EPA registration; NIC Theory: hospital-grade disinfectantsReport a problem with this question

5. 5. How long must a nonporous implement remain fully immersed in an EPA-registered disinfectant to be properly disinfected?

   • A.For the full contact (immersion) time stated on the product label✓ Answer
   • B.Exactly 24 hours
   • C.Until the solution changes color
   • D.A few seconds

   Disinfectants only work if implements stay wet with the product for the full contact time specified on the label (commonly 10 minutes for immersion products); cutting the time short leaves pathogens alive.

   Source: EPA label directions; NIC Theory: contact/immersion timeReport a problem with this question

6. 6. When preparing a concentrated disinfectant solution, the correct practice is to:

   • A.Use very hot water to speed up the action
   • B.Measure and mix exactly according to the manufacturer's dilution instructions✓ Answer
   • C.Add extra concentrate so it works stronger
   • D.Estimate the amounts by eye to save time

   Disinfectant must be mixed at the exact dilution ratio on the label; too weak is ineffective, and too concentrated can damage tools and be a health hazard, so 'more is not better.'

   Source: Manufacturer/EPA label directions; NIC Theory: proper mixingReport a problem with this question

7. 7. Round-shaped bacteria that grow in clusters and can produce pus (such as staphylococci) are classified by shape as:

   • A.Fungi
   • B.Bacilli
   • C.Cocci✓ Answer
   • D.Spirilla

   Bacteria are classified by shape: cocci are round, bacilli are rod-shaped, and spirilla are spiral/corkscrew-shaped; staphylococci are cocci that cluster and cause pus-forming infections like abscesses.

   Source: NIC Theory: bacteria classification (cocci/bacilli/spirilla)Report a problem with this question

8. 8. A key difference between a virus and bacteria is that a virus:

   • A.Cannot cause any disease
   • B.Is much larger than a bacterium
   • C.Is easily killed by ordinary antibiotics
   • D.Can reproduce only inside a living host cell✓ Answer

   Unlike bacteria, a virus cannot reproduce on its own — it must invade a living host cell and use that cell to replicate, which is also why antibiotics (which target bacteria) do not cure viral infections.

   Source: NIC Theory: viruses require a host cellReport a problem with this question

9. 9. Ringworm (tinea) and many nail infections that spread in salons are caused by which type of pathogen?

   • A.Bacteria
   • B.Parasites
   • C.Viruses
   • D.Fungi✓ Answer

   Ringworm (tinea) and many nail infections are caused by fungi, which thrive in warm, moist conditions and spread through contaminated implements, towels, or direct contact, making disinfection essential.

   Source: NIC Theory: fungi (tinea/onychomycosis)Report a problem with this question

10. 10. Head lice (pediculosis) and scabies are examples of infestations caused by:

    • A.Parasites✓ Answer
    • B.Viruses
    • C.Bacteria
    • D.Fungi

    Head lice and scabies (itch mites) are parasites — organisms that live on or in a host; they spread by direct person-to-person contact or shared items, so an affected client should be referred to a physician and not serviced.

    Source: NIC Theory: parasites (pediculosis/scabies)Report a problem with this question

11. 11. Which bloodborne pathogen is especially hardy and can remain infectious on surfaces for days, making it a major concern in salons?

    • A.The common cold virus
    • B.E. coli
    • C.HIV
    • D.HBV (hepatitis B virus)✓ Answer

    HBV (hepatitis B) is more durable than HIV and can survive on dried surfaces for at least a week while remaining infectious, which is why blood-contaminated tools must be disinfected or discarded immediately.

    Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030; CDC HBV surface survivalReport a problem with this question

12. 12. Under standard (universal) precautions, how should you treat blood and body fluids?

    • A.Treat all blood and body fluids as if they are potentially infectious✓ Answer
    • B.Treat only visibly dirty blood as infectious
    • C.Treat only your own blood as a hazard
    • D.Treat only fluids from clients who look ill

    Universal/standard precautions require treating ALL human blood and body fluids as if they are infectious, because you cannot tell by looking whether someone carries a bloodborne pathogen like HBV or HIV.

    Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030; NIC Theory: universal precautionsReport a problem with this question

13. 13. If a client's skin is accidentally broken and bleeds during a service, what should you do FIRST?

    • A.Rinse the wound with the disinfectant used for implements
    • B.Reuse the same implement on the next client
    • C.Stop the service and put on gloves before cleaning and covering the wound✓ Answer
    • D.Keep working quickly to finish the service

    You must stop the service and put on gloves before contacting blood, then clean the wound with antiseptic and cover it; any contaminated single-use items are discarded and multi-use tools are cleaned and disinfected before reuse.

    Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030; NIC Theory: exposure incident procedureReport a problem with this question

14. 14. Multi-use (reusable) implements such as metal shears and stainless-steel combs must be:

    • A.Cleaned and then disinfected between every client✓ Answer
    • B.Thrown away after each client
    • C.Only wiped with a dry towel
    • D.Rinsed with plain water only

    Multi-use implements are made of nonporous materials that can be cleaned to remove debris and then disinfected with an EPA-registered disinfectant between every client, which is what makes them safe to reuse.

    Source: NIC Theory: multi-use vs. single-use implementsReport a problem with this question

15. 15. Single-use (disposable) items such as wooden sticks, cotton, and disposable nail files must be:

    • A.Stored back in the disinfectant jar
    • B.Discarded immediately after one use✓ Answer
    • C.Washed with soap and reused
    • D.Disinfected and reused on the next client

    Single-use items are porous or absorbent, so they cannot be properly disinfected and must be thrown away after one use; attempting to reuse them can transfer pathogens from one client to another.

    Source: NIC Theory: single-use (disposable) implementsReport a problem with this question

16. 16. OSHA is the federal agency primarily responsible for:

    • A.Issuing cosmetology licenses to individuals
    • B.Registering disinfectants for sale
    • C.Approving cosmetic ingredients
    • D.Ensuring safe and healthful working conditions in the workplace✓ Answer

    OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) sets and enforces workplace safety standards — including the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and Hazard Communication; disinfectants are registered by the EPA and licenses are issued by the state board.

    Source: OSHA Act / 29 CFR 1910; NIC Theory: regulatory agenciesReport a problem with this question

17. 17. A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) primarily provides information about:

    • A.The retail price of the product
    • B.Each client's medical history
    • C.The salon's employee work schedule
    • D.A product's hazards, safe handling, storage, and first-aid measures✓ Answer

    An SDS, required under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, gives detailed information on a chemical product's hazards, safe handling and storage, protective equipment, and first-aid/emergency measures, and must be available to all employees.

    Source: OSHA Hazard Communication Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200 (SDS)Report a problem with this question

18. 18. Salon chemicals (including disinfectants and aerosols) should be stored:

    • A.Right next to a heat source to keep them warm
    • B.In open bowls left out at the workstation
    • C.In labeled, closed containers, in a cool area away from heat and open flame✓ Answer
    • D.In unlabeled containers to save space

    Chemicals must be kept in properly labeled, tightly closed containers in a cool, ventilated place away from heat and open flame, because heat can cause pressure buildup or ignition and unlabeled containers cause dangerous mix-ups.

    Source: OSHA Hazard Communication 29 CFR 1910.1200; NIC Theory: chemical storage/labelingReport a problem with this question

19. 19. What is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infection in the salon?

    • A.Running a fan in the room
    • B.Rinsing implements in tap water
    • C.Wearing fragrance
    • D.Proper handwashing before and after every client✓ Answer

    Proper handwashing with soap and warm water before and after each client is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infection, because hands are the most common vehicle for transferring pathogens.

    Source: CDC hand hygiene; NIC Theory: hand hygieneReport a problem with this question

20. 20. Which piece of PPE must be worn whenever there is possible contact with a client's blood or body fluids during a service?

    • A.Closed-toe shoes only
    • B.A name tag
    • C.Disposable gloves✓ Answer
    • D.A hairnet

    OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires wearing disposable gloves as PPE whenever contact with blood or body fluids is possible, so that the pathogen cannot reach broken skin on the worker's hands.

    Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030 (PPE/gloves)Report a problem with this question

Practice questions based on the NIC national cosmetology theory content outline and standard salon science. Not affiliated with NIC, PSI, or any state board. Your state may add state-law and practical content — check your board's requirements before testing. About NIC exams →