Florida Nursing Assistant Competency Pracrice Exam

What should you do to the tangled hair section before combing it?

1. Leave it dry

2. Wet it only

3. Apply hairspray

4. Use heat to loosen it

The correct answer is: Wet it only

Before combing a tangled section of hair, it is advisable to wet it. Wetting the hair helps to hydrate and soften the tangled strands, making them more pliable and easier to detangle. This can reduce breakage and minimize discomfort for the person whose hair you are attending to. Wetting the hair often is a common and effective technique used in hair care. It helps to loosen knots and allow for a smoother combing process. Water can also help products like conditioners penetrate better, which can further aid in detangling. While leaving the hair dry might seem less cumbersome, it generally makes tangles more difficult to manage, possibly leading to pulling or pain while combing. Applying hairspray may create stiffness and further entangle the hair strands, while using heat can risk damaging the hair and may not be effective for detangling. Using water is a gentle and effective way to prepare tangled hair for combing.