CMP Pedicure Techniques & Foot Care 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When performing a pedicure on a client with onychomycosis (nail fungus), what is the most appropriate course of action?
- Apply an antifungal nail lacquer and proceed with the service
- Refer the client to a physician and decline the service (Correct answer)
- Buff the nails vigorously to reduce the fungal spores
- Soak the nails longer in warm water to soften the infection
Correct answer: Refer the client to a physician and decline the service
Onychomycosis is a medical condition that requires physician treatment; performing a pedicure risks spreading infection and is outside the scope of a nail technician.
Question 2: Which type of foot file is most appropriate for removing thick calluses on a client's heel?
- Fine-grit crystal file
- Coarse-grit paddle file or foot rasp (Correct answer)
- Orange wood stick
- Soft foam buffer block
Correct answer: Coarse-grit paddle file or foot rasp
A coarse-grit paddle file or foot rasp is designed to abrade thick, hyperkeratotic skin efficiently without excessive pressure.
Question 3: What is the correct direction for filing a client's toenails to prevent ingrown nails?
- Rounded on both corners following the natural curve of the toe
- Straight across with slightly smoothed corners (Correct answer)
- Beveled at a 45-degree angle on each side
- Filed down toward the skin on each lateral edge
Correct answer: Straight across with slightly smoothed corners
Toenails should be filed straight across with corners lightly smoothed to discourage the nail plate from embedding into the lateral nail fold.
Question 4: A client reports a burning sensation immediately after paraffin wax is applied to their feet. What should the technician do first?
- Add another layer of wax to insulate the heat
- Remove the paraffin immediately and assess the skin (Correct answer)
- Ask the client to wait as the sensation is normal
- Cool the wax by applying cold towels over it
Correct answer: Remove the paraffin immediately and assess the skin
Immediate removal of paraffin and skin assessment are required to determine whether a burn has occurred and to prevent further tissue damage.
Question 5: Which anatomical landmark separates the forefoot from the midfoot?
- The calcaneus
- The Lisfranc (tarsometatarsal) joint line (Correct answer)
- The metatarsophalangeal joints
- The medial longitudinal arch
Correct answer: The Lisfranc (tarsometatarsal) joint line
The Lisfranc joint complex is the articulation between the tarsal bones and the metatarsals, marking the boundary between the midfoot and forefoot.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of applying cuticle oil at the conclusion of a pedicure service?
- To harden the nail plate and reduce breakage
- To rehydrate the nail fold and surrounding skin after water exposure (Correct answer)
- To act as a base coat before polish application
- To seal the nail plate against bacterial contamination
Correct answer: To rehydrate the nail fold and surrounding skin after water exposure
Cuticle oil replenishes moisture lost during soaking and filing, keeping the proximal nail fold and eponychium supple and healthy.
Question 7: Which condition is characterized by an inward rotation of the foot and ankle during walking and is a common finding noted during a CMP foot assessment?
- Supination
- Overpronation (Correct answer)
- Plantar fasciitis
- Metatarsalgia
Correct answer: Overpronation
Overpronation (excessive inward rolling) places abnormal stress on the arch, heel, and ankle, and is a key biomechanical finding during foot assessments.
CMP Pedicure Techniques & Foot Care 2
When performing a pedicure on a client with onychomycosis (nail fungus), what is the most appropriate course of action?