220-1101 Mobile Devices Practice Question
A technician needs to remove a swollen lithium-ion battery from a laptop before performing further repairs. Which of the following is the most critical safety step to take before beginning the removal?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates may focus on disposal or prying techniques, but CompTIA emphasizes that the immediate electrical safety step—disconnecting power—is always the first priority when dealing with a damaged or swollen battery.
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
✓
Disconnect the AC adapter and remove the battery from the laptop while powered off
Disconnecting the AC adapter and powering off the laptop ensures that no electrical current is flowing to the system, eliminating the risk of a short circuit or electrical shock when handling a damaged lithium-ion battery. A swollen battery is chemically unstable and can rupture or ignite if disturbed while the system is still powered or connected to a charger. This step is the most critical because it directly addresses the immediate electrical hazard before any physical manipulation of the battery.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Disconnect the AC adapter and remove the battery from the laptop while powered off
Why this is correct
Disconnect the AC adapter and power the laptop down first, because removing all sources of electrical energy ensures that no current can flow through the mainboard or battery circuits during extraction. This minimizes the chance of an accidental short across the battery terminals, which could heat the already unstable cell and trigger ignition. Work on a non-flammable surface and avoid pressing on the swollen area.
- ✗
Fully discharge the battery by running the laptop until it shuts down
Why it's wrong here
Forcing a swollen battery to fully discharge by running the laptop is dangerous because the internal structure of the cell is compromised—separators may be damaged, and forcing current draw increases internal resistance, generating additional heat. This heat can accelerate electrolyte decomposition and push the cell into thermal runway, potentially causing fire or rupture. The laptop should be shut down immediately if the battery swells, and the battery should not be drained.
When this WOULD be correct
This would be correct if the question asked about preparing a non-swollen lithium-ion battery for storage or disposal, where discharging reduces energy and risk of short circuits during handling.
- ✗
Use a metal spudger to gently pry the battery out of its compartment
Why it's wrong here
Using a metal spudger to pry out a swollen battery is a common but dangerous mistake, as a conductive tool can easily bridge the positive and negative terminals or contact exposed internal connections, creating a high-current short circuit. This dead short heats the cell rapidly, and the swollen, thinning casing is also prone to puncture, which could release caustic lithium salts and flammable electrolyte. Always use a plastic or ceramic spudger, and avoid leveraging directly against the battery casing.
When this WOULD be correct
A technician needs to remove a non-swollen, securely seated battery from a laptop where the release latches are broken. Using a plastic spudger (non-conductive) to gently pry it out is acceptable, but a metal spudger would still be wrong due to conductivity risk.
- ✗
Place the removed battery in a sealed plastic bag for disposal
Why it's wrong here
Sealing the swollen battery inside a plastic bag is hazardous because swelling often causes the cell to vent flammable electrolyte vapors and gases. In an airtight plastic enclosure, these gases accumulate, creating a fire or explosion risk if exposed to a spark or static discharge, and the bag itself is flammable and can melt onto the hot battery. Store the battery in a ventilated, non-flammable container, such as an open metal canister or a specialized battery safety bag, away from combustible materials.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asking about the proper disposal method for a lithium-ion battery that is not damaged or swollen, where the battery is being discarded after safe removal, and the focus is on preventing short circuits during transport.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 220-1101 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Disconnect the AC adapter and remove the battery from the laptop while powered offCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Disconnect the AC adapter and power the laptop down first, because removing all sources of electrical energy ensures that no current can flow through the mainboard or battery circuits during extraction. This minimizes the chance of an accidental short across the battery terminals, which could heat the already unstable cell and trigger ignition. Work on a non-flammable surface and avoid pressing on the swollen area.
✗Fully discharge the battery by running the laptop until it shuts downWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Fully discharging a swollen lithium-ion battery is dangerous because it can cause further stress, short circuits, or thermal runaway. The correct safety step is to disconnect power and remove the battery while powered off, avoiding any discharge attempts.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This would be correct if the question asked about preparing a non-swollen lithium-ion battery for storage or disposal, where discharging reduces energy and risk of short circuits during handling.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think discharging makes the battery safer to handle, but for swollen batteries, any electrical activity increases risk of rupture or fire.
✗Use a metal spudger to gently pry the battery out of its compartmentWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Using a metal spudger to pry a swollen lithium-ion battery can puncture the battery casing, causing a short circuit, fire, or chemical leak. The correct tool is a non-conductive plastic spudger, and prying should be avoided if the battery is swollen.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A technician needs to remove a non-swollen, securely seated battery from a laptop where the release latches are broken. Using a plastic spudger (non-conductive) to gently pry it out is acceptable, but a metal spudger would still be wrong due to conductivity risk.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think any spudger is safe for prying, overlooking that metal conducts electricity and can cause shorts, especially near sensitive components or a damaged battery.
✗Place the removed battery in a sealed plastic bag for disposalWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Placing a swollen lithium-ion battery in a sealed plastic bag can trap gases and increase the risk of rupture or fire; the correct disposal method is to place it in a non-sealed, fireproof container or follow hazardous material guidelines.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asking about the proper disposal method for a lithium-ion battery that is not damaged or swollen, where the battery is being discarded after safe removal, and the focus is on preventing short circuits during transport.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think that sealing the battery prevents leaks or contamination, but they overlook the danger of gas buildup from a damaged battery.
Analysis generated from the official 220-1101blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1101 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 220-1101 exam.