CMP Nail Disorders & Treatment 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes paronychia?
- A fungal infection of the nail plate causing white powdery patches
- An inflammation or infection of the skin surrounding the nail (Correct answer)
- A separation of the nail plate from the nail bed
- Horizontal white lines across the nail caused by arsenic exposure
Correct answer: An inflammation or infection of the skin surrounding the nail
Paronychia is an infection (bacterial or fungal) or inflammation of the proximal and lateral nail folds surrounding the nail.
Question 2: A client reports that their toenail fell off after an injury six weeks ago and a new nail is growing back. The visible reddened area under the old nail is the:
- Hyponychium
- Nail matrix
- Nail bed (Correct answer)
- Lunula
Correct answer: Nail bed
The nail bed is the vascular skin tissue beneath the nail plate; when the plate is lost, this pinkish tissue becomes exposed.
Question 3: Yellow nail syndrome is associated with all of the following EXCEPT:
- Lymphedema
- Respiratory disorders
- Pleural effusions
- Iron-deficiency anemia (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Iron-deficiency anemia
Yellow nail syndrome is linked to lymphatic dysfunction, chronic respiratory conditions, and pleural effusions, not iron-deficiency anemia.
Question 4: During a pedicure, a CMP notices a subungual hematoma covering less than 25% of the nail plate on a client's second toe. The recommended approach is to:
- Drain it immediately with a sterilized pin
- Provide comfort, apply gentle cold compress if recent, and refer for medical evaluation if painful or expanding (Correct answer)
- Massage the nail vigorously to disperse the blood
- Remove the nail plate to inspect the nail bed
Correct answer: Provide comfort, apply gentle cold compress if recent, and refer for medical evaluation if painful or expanding
Small subungual hematomas can be monitored; nail techs should not attempt drainage, which is a medical procedure.
Question 5: Which nail disorder appears as white islands or patches on the nail surface that can be scraped off, indicating superficial fungal colonization?
- Distal subungual onychomycosis
- White superficial onychomycosis (Correct answer)
- Proximal subungual onychomycosis
- Candida onychomycosis
Correct answer: White superficial onychomycosis
White superficial onychomycosis (WSO), often caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes, appears as white chalky patches on the dorsal nail surface that scrape away.
Question 6: A client with diabetes presents with thickened, discolored toenails. A CMP should:
- File the nails aggressively to thin them before polishing
- Decline all nail services until blood sugar is controlled
- Perform gentle nail care, avoid cuts, and recommend the client see a podiatrist for nail management (Correct answer)
- Apply a topical antifungal without physician consultation
Correct answer: Perform gentle nail care, avoid cuts, and recommend the client see a podiatrist for nail management
Diabetic clients have impaired healing and infection risk; gentle care with podiatric co-management is the safest approach.
Question 7: Habit-tic deformity of the nail is most commonly caused by:
- Repeated filing in one direction across the nail surface
- Repetitive picking or rubbing of the proximal nail fold by the client (Correct answer)
- Wearing nail enhancements for extended periods without fills
- Chronic soaking in hot water during pedicure services
Correct answer: Repetitive picking or rubbing of the proximal nail fold by the client
Habit-tic deformity produces horizontal ridges in the center of the nail plate from the client chronically manipulating the proximal nail fold.
CMP Nail Disorders & Treatment 3
Which of the following best describes paronychia?