Cosmetology Sanitation and Safety 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the lowest level of decontamination that kills most bacteria, some fungi, and some viruses on surfaces?
- Sterilization
- Disinfection
- Sanitation (Correct answer)
- Immunization
Correct answer: Sanitation
Sanitation reduces the number of pathogens on a surface to a safe level as judged by public health standards, but does not eliminate all microorganisms.
Question 2: Which level of decontamination destroys all microbial life, including spores, and is required for surgical instruments?
- Sanitation
- Disinfection
- Sterilization (Correct answer)
- Antisepsis
Correct answer: Sterilization
Sterilization is the complete destruction of all microbial life including spores, achieved through autoclaving, and is required for instruments that penetrate the skin.
Question 3: An EPA-registered disinfectant labeled as 'hospital-grade' must be effective against:
- Only bacteria
- Bacteria, fungi, and viruses including HIV and HBV (Correct answer)
- Spores only
- Airborne pathogens only
Correct answer: Bacteria, fungi, and viruses including HIV and HBV
Hospital-grade, EPA-registered disinfectants must be effective against a broad spectrum of pathogens including bacteria, fungi, and viruses such as HIV and hepatitis B (HBV).
Question 4: What is the proper order of steps when decontaminating reusable salon tools?
- Disinfect, then clean
- Clean, then disinfect (Correct answer)
- Sterilize, then clean
- Sanitize, then sterilize
Correct answer: Clean, then disinfect
Tools must first be cleaned to remove all visible debris and contaminants, and then disinfected so the disinfectant can properly contact all surfaces of the implement.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of a direct transmission of disease?
- Touching a contaminated surface then touching your face
- Airborne droplets from a sneeze
- Skin-to-skin contact with an infected person (Correct answer)
- Using unsterilized tools
Correct answer: Skin-to-skin contact with an infected person
Direct transmission occurs through immediate physical contact between an infected person and a susceptible host, such as skin-to-skin contact, without an intermediate object.
Question 6: Material Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provide information about:
- Client consultation forms
- Hazardous chemicals including handling, storage, and emergency procedures (Correct answer)
- State licensing requirements
- Sanitation schedules
Correct answer: Hazardous chemicals including handling, storage, and emergency procedures
Safety Data Sheets (SDS), formerly called MSDS, are documents required for all hazardous salon chemicals that detail ingredients, hazards, protective measures, and emergency response information.
Cosmetology Sanitation and Safety 1
What is the lowest level of decontamination that kills most bacteria, some fungi, and some viruses on surfaces?