The correct answer is to replace only the fuser unit and recycle the old one through a certified e-waste recycler. This is the most environmentally responsible action because the fuser is a consumable component that naturally degrades over time—typically after years of heat and pressure cycles—causing the acrid smell and distorted prints. Replacing just the faulty fuser rather than the entire printer directly minimizes electronic waste, which aligns with the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam’s emphasis on environmental best practices and proper disposal methods. On the exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between a component-level repair and a full device replacement, with a common trap being the impulse to replace the whole printer. Remember the memory tip: “Fuser failure, not printer failure—swap the part, not the whole.”
220-1102 Environmental Awareness and Impact Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of environmental awareness and impact. 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 customer reports that their office printer is emitting a strong, acrid smell and producing distorted prints. The printer uses a fuser unit that has been in service for five years. What should you recommend as the most environmentally responsible action?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Replace only the fuser unit and recycle the old one through a certified e-waste recycler.
Option B is correct because the fuser unit is a consumable component that degrades over time, and replacing only the faulty fuser while recycling the old one through a certified e-waste recycler minimizes electronic waste. This approach addresses the root cause (a worn-out fuser) without discarding the entire printer, which would generate unnecessary e-waste and violate environmental best practices.
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.
✗
Replace the entire printer with a new Energy Star model.
Why it's wrong here
Replacing the whole printer creates more electronic waste than necessary when only the fuser is faulty.
✓
Replace only the fuser unit and recycle the old one through a certified e-waste recycler.
Why this is correct
The fuser is a replaceable consumable; recycling it properly reduces waste and is environmentally responsible.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Continue using the printer until it fails completely.
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring the smell and print quality could lead to a fire hazard and is not environmentally sound.
✗
Disassemble the printer and dispose of all parts in the general trash.
Why it's wrong here
Disposing of electronic components in general trash violates environmental regulations and increases landfill waste.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that a failing component always requires full device replacement, but the trap here is that candidates overlook the environmental impact of e-waste and fail to recognize that consumable parts like fusers are designed to be replaced individually.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A fuser unit uses heat and pressure to bond toner to paper, typically operating at 180–200°C; after five years, the heating element or pressure roller can degrade, causing the acrid smell (burning toner or plastic) and distorted prints (uneven fusing). Certified e-waste recyclers recover metals and plastics from fuser units, reducing landfill impact, while simply replacing the fuser restores print quality without discarding the printer's other functional subsystems like the imaging drum or paper transport.
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 220-1202 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
Environmental Awareness and Impact — This question tests Environmental Awareness and Impact — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Replace only the fuser unit and recycle the old one through a certified e-waste recycler. — Option B is correct because the fuser unit is a consumable component that degrades over time, and replacing only the faulty fuser while recycling the old one through a certified e-waste recycler minimizes electronic waste. This approach addresses the root cause (a worn-out fuser) without discarding the entire printer, which would generate unnecessary e-waste and violate environmental best practices.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 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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Question Discussion
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