A licensee learns during consultation that a client has active, draining tinea pedis (athlete's foot) and asks for a pedicure. The lawful and ethical response is to:
Explanation
Active infectious skin conditions in the service area are a contraindication and a public-health hazard in a shared salon environment. The professional response is to decline the service today, explain WITHOUT diagnosing (the licensee may not diagnose under Bus. & Prof. Code §7320 and the practice-of-medicine prohibition), refer to a physician, and document. Tools cannot be 'fixed' with extra alcohol while the client is on them (option A); pumice and emery boards are porous single-use and cannot be disinfected at all. Publicly diagnosing the client (option C) violates dignity and scope. Liability waivers do not override sanitation rules or extinguish public-health duties (option D).
Law Reference: Bus. & Prof. Code §7320Practice all 484 questions free — no signup required.
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