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A
Cut deeply into living skin
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B
Gently push back/soften the cuticle without cutting living tissue, avoiding injury
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C
Tear the skin
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D
Ignore sanitation
Why this is the answer
During a manicure, the cuticle area should be cared for gently — softening and gently pushing back the non-living cuticle as appropriate — without cutting into the living skin (the eponychium) or aggressively removing tissue, because injuring this area can cause pain, bleeding, and open the door to infection. The living skin around the nail protects against pathogens entering. Conservative, careful cuticle work protects the client. Knowing to avoid cutting living tissue and to prevent injury is an important manicure-safety point on the exam.
Source: Skin & Nails — Cuticle Care