ICD 10 Review and Assessment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When reviewing a coded record, which character position in an ICD-10-CM code is always the alphabetic category letter?
- First character (Correct answer)
- Third character
- Fifth character
- Seventh character
Correct answer: First character
Every ICD-10-CM code begins with an alphabetic letter in the first position.
Question 2: During an audit, a code is found with only three characters and no decimal. What does this indicate?
- The code is invalid and must be rejected
- It is a category code that may be valid if no further subdivision exists (Correct answer)
- It always needs a seventh character
- It is a procedure code
Correct answer: It is a category code that may be valid if no further subdivision exists
A three-character category is a valid code only when it is not further subdivided.
Question 3: An assessment finds a code missing a required seventh character. What should be added to fill an empty placeholder position?
- The letter Z
- The number 0
- The placeholder X (Correct answer)
- A blank space
Correct answer: The placeholder X
The dummy placeholder 'X' fills empty positions so the seventh character lands correctly.
Question 4: While reviewing an injury claim, which seventh-character value indicates the initial encounter?
- A (Correct answer)
- D
- S
- G
Correct answer: A
The seventh character 'A' designates the initial encounter for active treatment.
Question 5: A reviewer must confirm laterality. Which code detail most often captures left versus right?
- The first character
- The decimal point
- A character within the subclassification (Correct answer)
- The category letter only
Correct answer: A character within the subclassification
Laterality is captured by specific digits in the subclassification of many codes.
Question 6: In a documentation review, the note says 'rule out diabetes' for an outpatient. How should this be coded?
- Code the diabetes as confirmed
- Code the signs/symptoms, not the unconfirmed condition (Correct answer)
- Code as history of diabetes
- Do not code anything
Correct answer: Code the signs/symptoms, not the unconfirmed condition
For outpatient encounters, uncertain diagnoses are not coded; code the documented signs or symptoms.
Question 7: An auditor checks code sequencing. The condition chiefly responsible for the visit should be listed as the:
- Last listed code
- Secondary diagnosis
- First listed/principal diagnosis (Correct answer)
- External cause code
Correct answer: First listed/principal diagnosis
The main reason for the encounter is sequenced as the first-listed or principal diagnosis.
ICD 10 Review and Assessment 2
When reviewing a coded record, which character position in an ICD-10-CM code is always the alphabetic category letter?