ICD 10 Z Codes and External Causes 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Z codes in ICD-10-CM (Z00-Z99) are primarily used to:
- Code acute illnesses and injuries
- Identify factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Correct answer)
- Replace diagnosis codes when a condition is uncertain
- Code neoplasms and trauma exclusively
Correct answer: Identify factors influencing health status and contact with health services
Z codes capture reasons for encounters when no disease or injury is present, such as preventive care, screenings, and health status factors.
Question 2: Which Z code is assigned for a patient presenting for a routine general adult medical examination with no abnormal findings?
- Z00.01
- Z13.89
- Z00.00 (Correct answer)
- Z01.00
Correct answer: Z00.00
Z00.00 is 'Encounter for general adult medical examination without abnormal findings,' used for routine annual physicals with no issues discovered.
Question 3: A patient previously treated for breast cancer (now resolved) presents for follow-up monitoring. Which Z code category applies?
- Z85 – Personal history of malignant neoplasm (Correct answer)
- Z80 – Family history of malignant neoplasm
- Z12 – Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm
- Z79 – Long-term drug therapy
Correct answer: Z85 – Personal history of malignant neoplasm
Z85 codes document personal history of a condition that no longer exists but may affect current or future care planning.
Question 4: Family history Z codes in ICD-10-CM are found in which code range?
- Z70-Z76
- Z80-Z84 (Correct answer)
- Z85-Z87
- Z77-Z79
Correct answer: Z80-Z84
Z80-Z84 capture family history of conditions such as malignant neoplasms, mental disorders, and cardiovascular disease.
Question 5: A patient presents specifically to receive a flu vaccination. The correct Z code for this encounter is:
- Z23 (Correct answer)
- Z20.828
- Z41.3
- Z30.40
Correct answer: Z23
Z23 is 'Encounter for immunization,' the specific code assigned when a patient comes in solely to receive a vaccine.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of a long-term (current) drug therapy status Z code?
- Z87.891 – Personal history of nicotine dependence
- Z79.01 – Long-term (current) use of anticoagulants (Correct answer)
- Z00.00 – General health examination
- Z20.822 – Contact with COVID-19
Correct answer: Z79.01 – Long-term (current) use of anticoagulants
Z79 codes indicate the patient is currently receiving ongoing medication therapy, which may affect treatment decisions and drug interactions.
Question 7: Z codes for contact with and exposure to communicable diseases are found in which ICD-10-CM category?
- Z11
- Z20 (Correct answer)
- Z28
- Z15
Correct answer: Z20
Category Z20 'Contact with and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseases' is used when a patient has been potentially exposed to an infectious disease without confirmed infection.
ICD 10 Z Codes and External Causes 1
Z codes in ICD-10-CM (Z00-Z99) are primarily used to: