- A
Set restartPolicy: OnFailure in the pod spec
Why wrong: The default restart policy for pods is Always, so it will restart anyway. Changing to OnFailure would still restart, but the core issue is memory.
- B
Use a DaemonSet instead of a Deployment
Why wrong: This does not address the memory issue.
- C
Increase the memory limit in the container's resources.limits and add a liveness probe that triggers on high memory usage
Increasing memory limit prevents OOM, and a liveness probe can restart the pod before OOM.
- D
Set terminationGracePeriodSeconds to 0
Why wrong: This controls graceful shutdown, not memory.
Question 142 of 997
How to Handle OOMKilled Containers with Memory Limit Increase and Probes
This KCNA practice question tests your understanding of kubernetes fundamentals. 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 pod is running a Java application that occasionally leaks memory. After a few hours, 'kubectl describe pod' shows the container exited with OOMKilled. You want to automatically restart the container but ensure the application has enough memory. What should you do?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Increase the memory limit in the container's resources.limits and add a liveness probe that triggers on high memory usage
Option C is correct because increasing the memory limit in resources.limits provides the Java application with more memory headroom, reducing the likelihood of OOMKilled terminations. Adding a liveness probe that triggers on high memory usage ensures the pod is restarted proactively if memory consumption approaches the limit, maintaining availability while the underlying memory leak is addressed.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Set restartPolicy: OnFailure in the pod spec
Why it's wrong here
The default restart policy for pods is Always, so it will restart anyway. Changing to OnFailure would still restart, but the core issue is memory.
- ✗
Use a DaemonSet instead of a Deployment
Why it's wrong here
This does not address the memory issue.
- ✓
Increase the memory limit in the container's resources.limits and add a liveness probe that triggers on high memory usage
Why this is correct
Increasing memory limit prevents OOM, and a liveness probe can restart the pod before OOM.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Set terminationGracePeriodSeconds to 0
Why it's wrong here
This controls graceful shutdown, not memory.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common misconception is that restartPolicy alone solves OOMKilled issues, but without adjusting resource limits, the container will simply be killed again. Additionally, a liveness probe is needed for proactive health management.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Kubernetes enforces memory limits via cgroups; when a container exceeds its memory limit, the kernel OOM killer terminates the process with SIGKILL (exit code 137). A liveness probe can be configured to check memory usage via a custom HTTP endpoint or a command that reads /proc/meminfo, allowing proactive restarts before the OOM killer triggers. In real-world scenarios, Java applications with memory leaks often require both increased limits (to buy time) and a liveness probe to restart the pod before the node's memory pressure affects other workloads.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the KCNA exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Kubernetes Fundamentals — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this KCNA question test?
Kubernetes Fundamentals — This question tests Kubernetes Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Increase the memory limit in the container's resources.limits and add a liveness probe that triggers on high memory usage — Option C is correct because increasing the memory limit in resources.limits provides the Java application with more memory headroom, reducing the likelihood of OOMKilled terminations. Adding a liveness probe that triggers on high memory usage ensures the pod is restarted proactively if memory consumption approaches the limit, maintaining availability while the underlying memory leak is addressed.
What should I do if I get this KCNA question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This KCNA practice question is part of Courseiva's free CNCF 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 KCNA exam.
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