- A
Replication lag (for instances with replicas)
Replication lag indicates data consistency and is a key health metric for instances with replicas.
- B
Number of queries per second
Why wrong: Queries per second measures workload, not health; it can be high without causing issues.
- C
CPU utilization > 80%
CPU utilization above 80% suggests resource pressure and potential performance degradation.
- D
Network throughput
Why wrong: Network throughput is a performance metric, not a direct indicator of instance health.
- E
Disk usage
Disk usage must be monitored to avoid full storage, which can cause instance downtime.
Question 513 of 1,000
PCDOE Instance Health Metrics Practice Question
This PCDOE practice question tests your understanding of manage database solutions. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: instance Health Metrics. 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.
Which THREE metrics should you set up alerts for to proactively monitor the health of a Cloud SQL for MySQL instance? (Choose 3)
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
✓
Replication lag (for instances with replicas)
Replication lag (for instances with replicas) is critical because high lag can cause stale reads and data inconsistency. CPU utilization above 80% indicates resource exhaustion, leading to performance degradation. Disk usage must be monitored to prevent storage full conditions that can cause instance downtime. These three metrics directly reflect instance health, whereas queries per second and network throughput are more related to workload performance, not health.
Key principle: Instance Health Metrics
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Replication lag (for instances with replicas)
- ✗
Number of queries per second
Why it's wrong here
Queries per second measures workload, not health; it can be high without causing issues.
- ✓
CPU utilization > 80%
Why this is correct
CPU utilization above 80% suggests resource pressure and potential performance degradation.
Related concept
Instance Health Metrics
- ✗
Network throughput
Why it's wrong here
Network throughput is a performance metric, not a direct indicator of instance health.
- ✓
Disk usage
Why this is correct
Disk usage must be monitored to avoid full storage, which can cause instance downtime.
Related concept
Instance Health Metrics
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google often tests the distinction between metrics that indicate instance health (e.g., replication lag, CPU utilization, disk usage) versus metrics that indicate performance or throughput (e.g., queries per second, network throughput), leading candidates to select the latter as health indicators.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Replication lag in Cloud SQL for MySQL is measured in seconds and can be monitored via the `seconds_behind_master` metric, which tracks the time difference between the primary and replica's apply position. CPU utilization above 80% often triggers query throttling or performance degradation, as MySQL's internal scheduler may struggle with context switching under high load. Disk usage alerts are crucial because Cloud SQL instances have a maximum storage limit, and running out of space can cause the database to become read-only or crash, with no automatic recovery without manual intervention.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Instance Health Metrics
- Performance vs. Health
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
Instance Health Metrics
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review instance Health Metrics, then practise related PCDOE questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCDOE question test?
Manage Database Solutions — This question tests Manage Database Solutions — Instance Health Metrics.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Replication lag (for instances with replicas) — Replication lag (for instances with replicas) is critical because high lag can cause stale reads and data inconsistency. CPU utilization above 80% indicates resource exhaustion, leading to performance degradation. Disk usage must be monitored to prevent storage full conditions that can cause instance downtime. These three metrics directly reflect instance health, whereas queries per second and network throughput are more related to workload performance, not health.
What should I do if I get this PCDOE question wrong?
Review instance Health Metrics, then practise related PCDOE questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Instance Health Metrics
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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