CAISS Head and Neck Injuries 4

Question 1

For AIS coding purposes, which criterion distinguishes an epidural hematoma (EDH) coded AIS 4 from one coded AIS 5?

Accepted Answer

Volume of hematoma and associated brain shift

Answer

AIS severity for EDH escalates with larger hematoma volume and significant midline shift indicating greater mass effect.

Question 2

Under the AIS 2015 update, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is primarily coded based on which factor?

Accepted Answer

Traumatic vs. spontaneous origin

Answer

AIS distinguishes traumatic SAH from spontaneous SAH because the AIS dictionary covers only traumatic injuries.

Question 3

A pedestrian struck by a car has a depressed skull fracture with underlying dural laceration but no parenchymal injury on MRI. What AIS severity applies?

Accepted Answer

AIS 4

Answer

A depressed skull fracture with dural disruption but no brain parenchymal injury codes to AIS 4 due to the structural significance.

Question 4

Which structure, when lacerated in a neck injury, most likely elevates the AIS severity to 4 or 5?

Accepted Answer

Common carotid artery

Answer

Laceration of the common carotid artery is a major vascular injury that elevates AIS neck injury severity to 4 or 5.

Question 5

In AIS, the 'masked injury' rule states that if a more severe brain injury is identified later, the coder should:

Accepted Answer

Revise the AIS code to the higher severity injury

Answer

AIS coding is updated to reflect the most accurate diagnosis; the code is revised upward when a more severe injury is subsequently identified.

(CAISS) Certified Abbreviated Injury Scale Specialist Practice Test

(CAISS) Certified Abbreviated Injury Scale Specialist Practice Test

CAISS Head and Neck Injuries 4