Quick Answer
The answer is the Deadlocks CloudWatch metric. This metric specifically tracks the number of deadlock occurrences per second in your Amazon RDS for SQL Server instance, directly reflecting the rate at which SQL Server detects and resolves deadlocks. Unlike generic metrics or those for blocking and lock waits, Deadlocks is a dedicated counter that maps to the SQL Server performance object, making it the precise tool for monitoring deadlock frequency. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between similar-sounding metrics—a common trap is confusing Deadlocks with LockWaits or BlockedProcesses. Remember that deadlocks are a specific type of concurrency issue where two transactions block each other, requiring SQL Server to choose a victim, while lock waits are simply transactions waiting for a resource. A useful memory tip: deadlocks are a “mutual block” that kills one transaction, so look for the metric named after the event itself—Deadlocks.
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of monitoring and troubleshooting. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A database specialist needs to monitor the number of deadlocks occurring in an Amazon RDS for SQL Server DB instance. Which CloudWatch metric should be used?
BlockedTransactions
Why wrong: Tracks blocked transactions, not deadlocks.
Deadlocks
This is the correct metric for deadlocks.
DatabaseConnections
Why wrong: Tracks number of connections, not deadlocks.
LockWaits
Why wrong: Tracks lock waits, not deadlocks.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Deadlocks
Option A is correct because Deadlocks is a specific metric in Amazon RDS for SQL Server that tracks deadlock occurrences. Option B is wrong because it is a generic metric. Option C is wrong because it is for blocking, not deadlocks. Option D is wrong because it is for lock waits.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
BlockedTransactions
Why it's wrong here
Tracks blocked transactions, not deadlocks.
Deadlocks
Why this is correct
This is the correct metric for deadlocks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
DatabaseConnections
Why it's wrong here
Tracks number of connections, not deadlocks.
LockWaits
Why it's wrong here
Tracks lock waits, not deadlocks.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Identify which DBS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Monitoring and Troubleshooting — This question tests Monitoring and Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Deadlocks — Option A is correct because Deadlocks is a specific metric in Amazon RDS for SQL Server that tracks deadlock occurrences. Option B is wrong because it is a generic metric. Option C is wrong because it is for blocking, not deadlocks. Option D is wrong because it is for lock waits.
Identify which DBS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This DBS-C01 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DBS-C01 exam.
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