This SNOW-CSA practice question tests your understanding of database administration and cmdb. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
What is the purpose of the 'Operational Status' field on a CMDB CI?
To indicate the CI's current operational health.
Operational Status reflects whether the CI is functioning properly.
To track the CI's maintenance schedule.
Why wrong: Maintenance schedule is typically tracked in a different field.
To define the CI's business criticality.
Why wrong: Criticality is a different field.
To record the CI's last discovery date.
Why wrong: Last discovery date is a separate field.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
To indicate the CI's current operational health.
The 'Operational Status' field on a CMDB CI in ServiceNow indicates the current operational health of the configuration item, such as whether it is functioning normally, in a degraded state, or down. This field is used to quickly assess the real-time status of a CI, enabling IT operations to prioritize incident response and change management based on the CI's operational condition.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
To indicate the CI's current operational health.
Why this is correct
Operational Status reflects whether the CI is functioning properly.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
To track the CI's maintenance schedule.
Why it's wrong here
Maintenance schedule is typically tracked in a different field.
To define the CI's business criticality.
Why it's wrong here
Criticality is a different field.
To record the CI's last discovery date.
Why it's wrong here
Last discovery date is a separate field.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'Operational Status' with 'Business Criticality' or 'Maintenance Schedule', as all three fields relate to CI management but serve distinct purposes in the CMDB.
Detailed technical explanation
The 'Operational Status' field uses a predefined choice list (e.g., 1=Operational, 2=Degraded, 3=Non-Operational) that can be automatically updated by discovery tools or manually set by administrators. In a real-world scenario, if a CI's operational status is set to 'Degraded', it can trigger automated workflows to notify the appropriate team or create an incident, ensuring proactive management of IT services.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the SNOW-CSA exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Database Administration and CMDB — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Database Administration and CMDB practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All SNOW-CSA questions
510 questions across all exam domains
ServiceNow Certified System Administrator CSA study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
SNOW-CSA practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to Reporting, SLA and Imports.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to Self-Service and Automation.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to UI, Navigation and Forms.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to Database Administration and CMDB.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to Service Catalog and Workflows.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to Application Rules, ACL and Notifications.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to SNOW-CSA fundamentals.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to SNOW-CSA scenario.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to SNOW-CSA troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Database Administration and CMDB — This question tests Database Administration and CMDB — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: To indicate the CI's current operational health. — The 'Operational Status' field on a CMDB CI in ServiceNow indicates the current operational health of the configuration item, such as whether it is functioning normally, in a degraded state, or down. This field is used to quickly assess the real-time status of a CI, enabling IT operations to prioritize incident response and change management based on the CI's operational condition.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This SNOW-CSA practice question is part of Courseiva's free ServiceNow 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 SNOW-CSA exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.