Disinfection & SafetyQuestion 34 of 100
A new client takes off her socks and the skin around one big toenail is red, swollen, warm and has a small amount of pus. What should you do?
a.Service the other nine toes and simply skip that one.
b.Tell her she has a nail infection and recommend an antifungal cream from the drugstore.
c.Do the pedicure anyway and disinfect the tub twice afterward.
d.Politely decline the service, describe only what you see without naming a condition, explain that you are not allowed to work on inflamed or infected skin, and suggest she see a physician.
Explanation
Redness, swelling, heat and pus are signs of an active infection, so option D is the professional response: describe, decline, refer, and never diagnose. Skipping one toe (A) does not help because the spa water, the towels and your implements still contact the infected area and the rest of the foot. Naming a disease and recommending medication (B) is diagnosing, which is outside your scope, and extra tub cleaning (C) protects the next client but still exposes this client to a worse infection.
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