Nail Technician Anatomy and Nail Disorders Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which part of the nail unit is responsible for producing the cells that form the nail plate?
- Nail bed
- Lunula
- Nail matrix (Correct answer)
- Eponychium
Correct answer: Nail matrix
The nail matrix is the living tissue at the base of the nail that generates the cells that harden and become the nail plate. [17, 26] Damage to the matrix can result in abnormal nail growth. The nail bed supports the nail plate, the lunula is the visible part of the matrix, and the eponychium is the cuticle.
Question 2: A client presents with leukonychia, which appears as white spots on the nail plate. This condition is most commonly caused by:
- A serious systemic illness
- Minor injury to the nail matrix (Correct answer)
- A calcium deficiency
- An allergic reaction to base coat
Correct answer: Minor injury to the nail matrix
Leukonychia, or white spots, is most often the result of minor trauma or injury to the nail matrix, the area where the nail is formed. [1, 2, 4] While it can occasionally be linked to other causes, injury is the most common reason. The myth that it's caused by a calcium deficiency is widespread but generally untrue. [8]
Question 3: A client complains of a painful, red, and swollen area of skin around the side of their fingernail, which developed rapidly. This condition is most likely:
- Psoriasis
- Onycholysis
- Paronychia (Correct answer)
- Leukonychia
Correct answer: Paronychia
Paronychia is a bacterial or yeast infection of the skin surrounding the nail, known as the nail fold. [31, 35] Acute paronychia presents with a sudden onset of redness, swelling, and pain, and sometimes a pus-filled abscess. [31, 33] It's a contraindication for nail services until it is resolved.
Question 4: Pterygium is a nail disorder characterized by the abnormal, forward growth of which structure over the nail plate?
- The hyponychium
- The nail fold (eponychium) (Correct answer)
- The lunula
- The nail bed
Correct answer: The nail fold (eponychium)
Dorsal pterygium is a condition where the skin of the proximal nail fold (eponychium) grows forward and adheres to the nail plate, often due to scarring or trauma to the matrix. [9, 11, 20] It creates a wing-like appearance as it stretches over the nail.
Question 5: A client's toenail is growing into the soft tissue of the lateral nail fold, causing pain, swelling, and redness. What is the technical term for this condition?
- Onychophagy
- Onychorrhexis
- Onychocryptosis (Correct answer)
- Onychauxis
Correct answer: Onychocryptosis
Onychocryptosis is the medical term for an ingrown nail. [24, 25, 28] This common and painful condition occurs when the side of the nail plate presses into the surrounding skin. Nail technicians should not attempt to treat this condition and must refer the client to a medical professional.
Question 6: The nail plate is translucent, and its pinkish appearance is due to the:
- Color of the keratin cells
- Pigment in the nail matrix
- Reflection of the lunula
- Blood vessels in the underlying nail bed (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Blood vessels in the underlying nail bed
The nail plate itself is composed of translucent, compacted keratin cells. [6] The healthy pink color seen through the nail is due to the rich supply of blood vessels located in the nail bed, which lies directly underneath the nail plate. [6, 7]
Nail Technician Anatomy and Nail Disorders Questions and Answers
Which part of the nail unit is responsible for producing the cells that form the nail plate?