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220-1102 Practice Question: A technician is tasked with replacing a faulty…
A technician is tasked with replacing a faulty power supply in a desktop computer that is part of a critical patient record system at a clinic. Before starting, the technician reviews the change management policy. Which step should the technician perform first?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that immediate physical safety steps (like powering off) or data backup should come first, but the exam emphasizes that change management approval is the mandatory initial step in any planned maintenance on a critical system.
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
✓
Submit a change request to the change advisory board (CAB)
The change management policy requires that any modification to a system handling critical patient records must first be formally approved via a change request submitted to the Change Advisory Board (CAB). This ensures that risks are assessed, downtime is scheduled, and compliance with healthcare data regulations (e.g., HIPAA) is maintained before any physical work begins.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Power off the workstation and disconnect all cables
Why it's wrong here
Powering off a workstation is a direct physical action that should only be performed after the proposed change has been formally reviewed, approved, and scheduled through the change management process. Initiating physical work without prior authorization from a Change Advisory Board (CAB) bypasses critical risk assessment and scheduling protocols. This could lead to unexpected downtime or data loss without proper planning and stakeholder notification.
- ✓
Submit a change request to the change advisory board (CAB)
Why this is correct
Submitting a change request to the Change Advisory Board (CAB) is the correct initial step in a formal IT change management process. This ensures that the proposed replacement of a faulty component is properly documented, reviewed for potential risks and impacts, and scheduled to minimize disruption. The CAB's approval provides the necessary authorization and coordination before any physical work or further planning commences.
- ✗
Back up the patient records to an external drive
Why it's wrong here
While backing up patient records is an absolutely critical step in data protection, it is an action performed *after* a change has been approved and scheduled, typically as part of the implementation plan. Performing a backup before formal approval of the change itself is premature and does not address the procedural requirement of gaining authorization for the system modification. The change management process dictates that the *decision* to proceed must precede the *preparatory actions* for implementation.
- ✗
Notify the clinic staff that the system will be offline
Why it's wrong here
Notifying clinic staff about system downtime is a crucial communication step, but it must occur *after* the change has been formally approved by the CAB and a specific maintenance window has been scheduled. Issuing a notification without prior approval could lead to confusion, unnecessary panic, or scheduling conflicts if the change is not ultimately authorized or is postponed. Communication is a component of the change implementation phase, not the initial request for change.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Data Destruction and Disposal
Key term
HIPAA
HIPAA is a U.S. law that sets national standards for protecting sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge.
Key term
Change management
Change management is the structured process of planning, approving, implementing, and reviewing changes to IT systems to minimize risk and disruption.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 220-1202 exam.