NIC Nail Technician Written ExamScientific ConceptsMedium
A client has recently started chemotherapy, and as a side effect, her nails have become noticeably discolored, brittle, and have developed deep horizontal ridges. What is the technical term for these horizontal ridges?
- AOnychorrhexis
- BLeukonychia
- CMee's lines
- DBeau's lines
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Beau's lines
Beau's lines are horizontal depressions across the nail plate that indicate a temporary slowdown or cessation of nail growth, often due to systemic illness, chemotherapy, or severe stress.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Onychorrhexis refers to brittle nails with lengthwise ridges, not horizontal ones.
- B. Leukonychia refers to white spots or discoloration on the nail plate.
- C. Mee's lines are white transverse lines (bands) on the nail, not ridges, associated with arsenic poisoning or systemic illness.
Beau's Lines
Beau's lines are visible horizontal depressions across the nail plate that indicate a temporary cessation or slowdown of nail growth, often triggered by systemic illness, severe stress, or chemotherapy.
- Horizontal depressions/ridges on the nail plate.
- Caused by temporary disruption in nail matrix activity.
- Associated with systemic illness, trauma, or chemotherapy.
Memory trick: BEAU's lines are like horizontal 'beauty' marks of stress; MEE's lines make ME see white.