- A
Increase the number of nodes to spread the load
Why wrong: Adding nodes does not fix a hot spot caused by row key design; the hot key still hits one node.
- B
Redesign the row key to include a hash prefix or a field that distributes writes evenly
A more distributed row key avoids hot spots.
- C
Create a Bigtable table with a different column family
Why wrong: Column families do not affect row key distribution.
- D
Use Key Visualiser in the Google Cloud console to analyse row key distribution
Key Visualiser provides visualisation of row key access patterns.
- E
Switch from HDD to SSD storage type
Why wrong: Changing storage type requires a new cluster and does not fix hot spots.
Question 3 of 1,000
PCDOE Manage Database Solutions 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. 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 company is using Bigtable for real-time analytics and notices that some queries are experiencing high latency. They suspect a hot spot due to a row key design that uses a monotonically increasing value. Which two actions should they take to diagnose and mitigate the hot spottedness? (Choose TWO.)
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
✓
Redesign the row key to include a hash prefix or a field that distributes writes evenly
Key Visualiser helps identify hot spots by showing row key distribution. Prefixing the row key with a field that distributes writes (like a hash prefix) is a common mitigation strategy.
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.
- ✗
Increase the number of nodes to spread the load
Why it's wrong here
Adding nodes does not fix a hot spot caused by row key design; the hot key still hits one node.
- ✓
Redesign the row key to include a hash prefix or a field that distributes writes evenly
Why this is correct
A more distributed row key avoids hot spots.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Create a Bigtable table with a different column family
Why it's wrong here
Column families do not affect row key distribution.
- ✓
Use Key Visualiser in the Google Cloud console to analyse row key distribution
Why this is correct
Key Visualiser provides visualisation of row key access patterns.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Switch from HDD to SSD storage type
Why it's wrong here
Changing storage type requires a new cluster and does not fix hot spots.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which PCDOE exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Manage Database Solutions — study guide chapter
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Manage Database Solutions practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCDOE question test?
Manage Database Solutions — This question tests Manage Database Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Redesign the row key to include a hash prefix or a field that distributes writes evenly — Key Visualiser helps identify hot spots by showing row key distribution. Prefixing the row key with a field that distributes writes (like a hash prefix) is a common mitigation strategy.
What should I do if I get this PCDOE question wrong?
Identify which PCDOE exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PCDOE 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 PCDOE exam.
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