CHS Sanitation, Safety & Client Consultation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct way to handle a used single-use razor blade after a service?
- Place it directly in a regular trash can
- Recap it and store for disposal later
- Dispose of it in a puncture-resistant sharps container (Correct answer)
- Rinse with water and place on the station tray
Correct answer: Dispose of it in a puncture-resistant sharps container
Used razor blades are considered biohazardous sharps and must be discarded in approved puncture-resistant sharps containers.
Question 2: Which type of infection results from an organism that is normally present on the skin but becomes harmful when the skin is broken?
- Systemic infection
- Opportunistic infection (Correct answer)
- Contagious infection
- Primary infection
Correct answer: Opportunistic infection
Opportunistic infections occur when normal flora exploit a weakened immune system or broken skin barrier to cause disease.
Question 3: A stylist is using a chemical relaxer and begins to feel lightheaded. What is the first action they should take?
- Finish the service quickly to minimize exposure
- Open windows and move to fresh air immediately (Correct answer)
- Apply a neutralizer to the client's hair and leave the room
- Take a short break and continue after 5 minutes
Correct answer: Open windows and move to fresh air immediately
Chemical fumes can cause dizziness and respiratory distress; moving to fresh air is the immediate priority.
Question 4: What does the term 'decontamination' encompass in salon practice?
- Only removing visible dirt from tools
- Only killing bacteria with chemicals
- The complete process of cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing (Correct answer)
- Replacing used tools with new disposable ones
Correct answer: The complete process of cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing
Decontamination is a broad term covering all steps — cleaning, disinfecting, and when necessary, sterilizing — to make items safe.
Question 5: During a hair strand test, a strand breaks with little tension. What does this indicate?
- The hair is healthy and ready for chemical processing
- The hair is overprocessed and should not receive further chemical services (Correct answer)
- The client needs a deep conditioning treatment before a haircut
- The strand test was performed incorrectly
Correct answer: The hair is overprocessed and should not receive further chemical services
A strand that breaks easily indicates severe damage or overprocessing, meaning additional chemical services could cause hair breakage.
Question 6: Which federal agency is responsible for registering disinfectants used in salons?
- FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
- OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
- EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) (Correct answer)
- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Correct answer: EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
The EPA registers and regulates all disinfectants, ensuring their safety and efficacy claims are validated.
Question 7: A client discloses they are currently undergoing chemotherapy. How should a stylist adjust the consultation?
- Proceed as normal since chemotherapy is unrelated to hair services
- Ask about scalp sensitivity and avoid chemical services; recommend gentle options (Correct answer)
- Refer the client to another salon to reduce liability
- Apply a double layer of gloves and proceed with all services
Correct answer: Ask about scalp sensitivity and avoid chemical services; recommend gentle options
Chemotherapy can cause scalp sensitivity, hair fragility, and immune suppression, requiring modifications to avoid chemical services.
CHS Sanitation, Safety & Client Consultation 3
What is the correct way to handle a used single-use razor blade after a service?