Cosmetology · Infection Control and Safety

If a client's skin is accidentally cut and bleeds during a service, what should the cosmetologist do?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Stop, follow blood-exposure (blood spill) procedures using gloves and proper cleanup, and avoid contact with the blood

A Stop, follow blood-exposure (blood spill) procedures using gloves and proper cleanup, and avoid contact with the blood
B Continue the service immediately
C Use the same tool on the next client
D Ignore it

Why this is the answer

If a client bleeds during a service, the cosmetologist must stop and follow proper blood-exposure procedures: put on gloves, stop the bleeding and clean/cover the wound appropriately, and clean and disinfect any contaminated surfaces and tools (or discard single-use items). Tools that contacted blood must be properly disinfected before reuse or thrown away if single-use. These precautions prevent transmission of bloodborne pathogens. Handling blood exposure correctly is both a safety requirement and a tested exam topic.

Source: Scientific Concepts — Blood Exposure Procedures

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About this topic: Infection Control and Safety

Infection control questions cover the types of pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites), how infection spreads in a salon, Standard Precautions, and the salon professional's responsibilities. This is the most heavily tested theory topic in every state. This is one of 11 Scientific Concepts questions on infection control and safety, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our Cosmetology exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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If a client's skin is accidentally cut and bleeds during a service, what should the cosmetologist do?

Why this is the answer

Practice more questions

About this topic: Infection Control and Safety

Related questions

What is the main purpose of infection control in a salon?

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Which of the following is a single-use (disposable) item that must be thrown away after one client?

What should you do first if a tool or implement is visibly soiled before disinfecting it?

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