ICD 10 Z Codes and External Causes

Question 1

Z codes in ICD-10-CM (Z00-Z99) are primarily used to:

Accepted Answer

Identify factors influencing health status and contact with health services

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Z00.00

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Z85 – Personal history of malignant neoplasm

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Z80-Z84

Answer

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:

Accepted Answer

Z23

Answer

Z23 is 'Encounter for immunization,' the specific code assigned when a patient comes in solely to receive a vaccine.

ICD 10 Practice Test