Skin & Nail ServicesQuestion 478 of 484

A pedicure client is in her third trimester of pregnancy and asks for a paraffin foot dip. The most appropriate response is to:

a.Skip the paraffin if she has uncontrolled diabetes, vascular disease, fragile or broken skin in the area, neuropathy that makes her unable to feel temperature, or active infection in the foot, regardless of pregnancy; otherwise proceed with paraffin tested for safe temperature on the practitioner's wrist and with a single-use plastic liner so no client's skin touches the tank wax
b.Refuse all pedicure services to every pregnant client
c.Heat the paraffin much hotter than usual to compensate for her reduced sensitivity
d.Reuse the paraffin between clients because it is hot enough to sterilize itself

Explanation

True contraindications to paraffin are not pregnancy itself but the medical conditions that make heated wax dangerous: uncontrolled diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, fragile or broken skin in the treatment area, and active local infection. If none of these apply, paraffin is safe in pregnancy. The wax must be tested on the practitioner's wrist for safe temperature, applied via a single-use plastic liner so client skin never touches tank wax, and the used wax discarded with the liner (paraffin is NOT self-sterilizing, option D). Refusing every pregnant client (option B) is over-broad and may even raise discrimination issues. Manicurists work under CCR Title 16 §980.3.

Law Reference: CCR Title 16 §980.3

Practice all 484 questions free — no signup required.

Related questions on this topic

Last reviewed: · editorial process

PrepPass Editorial Team · Verified against California Board of Barbering & Cosmetology Exam · How we review
Report