CMC ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In ICD-10-CM, what is the purpose of the 'Excludes1' note?
- Indicates codes that should always be coded together
- Means the excluded condition is not part of the code and cannot be assigned together (Correct answer)
- Suggests an additional code may be needed
- Identifies optional additional codes
Correct answer: Means the excluded condition is not part of the code and cannot be assigned together
An 'Excludes1' note means the excluded code and the code above it can never be used together because they represent mutually exclusive conditions.
Question 2: Which ICD-10-CM code category is used to report encounters for health supervision of newborns?
- Z00
- Z38 (Correct answer)
- P00
- Q00
Correct answer: Z38
Category Z38 is used to code liveborn infants according to type of birth (single, twin, etc.) and place of birth.
Question 3: When a patient is admitted for a complication of a procedure, what is sequenced as the principal diagnosis?
- The underlying disease
- The complication code (Correct answer)
- The procedure code
- The admitting diagnosis
Correct answer: The complication code
The complication code (e.g., postoperative hemorrhage) is sequenced as the principal diagnosis when a patient is admitted specifically to treat that complication.
Question 4: Which section of the ICD-10-CM manual is used to locate diagnosis codes alphabetically?
- Tabular List
- Alphabetic Index (Correct answer)
- Table of Drugs and Chemicals
- Neoplasm Table
Correct answer: Alphabetic Index
The Alphabetic Index is consulted first to locate potential codes, which are then verified in the Tabular List before final code assignment.
Question 5: What does the ICD-10-CM guideline 'code first' instruction require the coder to do?
- Assign the etiology code before the manifestation code (Correct answer)
- Assign the most severe code first
- List surgical codes before medical codes
- Code the chronic condition before the acute condition
Correct answer: Assign the etiology code before the manifestation code
The 'code first' note instructs coders to sequence the underlying etiology code before the manifestation code when both are present.
Question 6: In ICD-10-CM, how are late effects (sequelae) of a previous illness or injury coded?
- With a 'history of' Z code only
- With a 7th character 'S' for sequela (Correct answer)
- By re-coding the original condition
- Using an E code
Correct answer: With a 7th character 'S' for sequela
The 7th character 'S' designates sequela, indicating that the current condition is a late effect resulting from a prior injury or illness.
CMC ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding 2
In ICD-10-CM, what is the purpose of the 'Excludes1' note?