PCDE Monitor and optimize database performance Practice Question
Which TWO actions can help reduce the number of read replicas needed for a Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL instance that serves a read-heavy workload?
⚠ Common exam trap
Google Cloud often tests the misconception that increasing database parameters like max_connections or using synchronous replication directly reduces read replica requirements, when in fact these actions either increase resource consumption or do not address read offloading.
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
✓
Implement connection pooling to reuse database connections.
Connection pooling reduces the overhead of establishing new database connections, which can consume significant CPU and memory resources on the primary instance. By reusing existing connections, the primary instance can handle more read requests without needing additional read replicas to offload the connection management load. This directly reduces the number of replicas required for a read-heavy workload.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Implement connection pooling to reuse database connections.
Why this is correct
Reduces connection overhead and improves replica efficiency.
- ✗
Enable synchronous replication on all read replicas.
Why it's wrong here
Synchronous replication increases write latency and does not help with read capacity.
- ✗
Use smaller machine types for read replicas.
Why it's wrong here
Smaller replicas have less capacity, potentially requiring more replicas.
- ✓
Use application-level caching (e.g., Redis) to cache frequent read results.
Why this is correct
Offloads read requests from the database, reducing replica load.
- ✗
Increase the max_connections parameter on the primary instance.
Why it's wrong here
Increasing max_connections may cause resource exhaustion and does not directly reduce the need for replicas.
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This PCDE practice question is part of Courseiva's free Google Cloud 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 PCDE exam.