ICD 10 Advanced Topics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In ICD-10-CM, what does the 7th character extension 'A' indicate for an injury code?
- Initial encounter (Correct answer)
- Subsequent encounter
- Sequela
- Aftercare
Correct answer: Initial encounter
The 7th character 'A' designates the initial encounter while the patient is receiving active treatment for the condition.
Question 2: What 7th character is used to report a sequela (late effect) of an injury?
- A
- D
- S (Correct answer)
- G
Correct answer: S
The 7th character 'S' is used for sequela, indicating a condition that arises as a direct result of a prior injury.
Question 3: A 'combination code' in ICD-10-CM is a single code that:
- Classifies two diagnoses or a diagnosis with a manifestation (Correct answer)
- Combines two patient encounters
- Merges inpatient and outpatient data
- Links a procedure to a diagnosis
Correct answer: Classifies two diagnoses or a diagnosis with a manifestation
A combination code is a single code used to classify two diagnoses, a diagnosis with an associated complication, or a diagnosis with an associated manifestation.
Question 4: What is the purpose of an 'Excludes1' note in ICD-10-CM?
- The two conditions can never be coded together (Correct answer)
- The conditions may be coded together if both exist
- It lists optional additional codes
- It indicates a manifestation code
Correct answer: The two conditions can never be coded together
An Excludes1 note means the excluded code should never be used at the same time as the code above it because the two conditions are mutually exclusive.
Question 5: An 'Excludes2' note in ICD-10-CM indicates that:
- The condition is not part of the code, but both may be coded together (Correct answer)
- The condition is always included
- The code is invalid
- Only one code may ever be used
Correct answer: The condition is not part of the code, but both may be coded together
An Excludes2 note means the excluded condition is not part of the listed code, so both codes may be reported together if the patient has both.
Question 6: When a code requires a 7th character but the code is only 5 characters long, what must be used in positions 6?
- The letter 'X' as a placeholder (Correct answer)
- A zero
- The number '9'
- Nothing — the 7th character moves up
Correct answer: The letter 'X' as a placeholder
The placeholder 'X' fills empty character positions so the 7th character occupies the correct seventh position.
Question 7: Which ICD-10-CM convention means 'not elsewhere classifiable,' used when the specific code does not exist?
- NEC (Correct answer)
- NOS
- Excludes1
- Code first
Correct answer: NEC
NEC (not elsewhere classifiable) is used when the documentation specifies a condition but no distinct code exists for it.
ICD 10 Advanced Topics 2
In ICD-10-CM, what does the 7th character extension 'A' indicate for an injury code?