CAC CAC ICD-10 Diagnosis Coding for Ambulance Services

Question 1

Which ICD-10-CM code category is used to report chest pain as the primary reason an ambulance was dispatched?

Accepted Answer

R07

Answer

ICD-10-CM category R07 covers chest pain and is used to identify the symptom-based reason for ambulance dispatch when a definitive diagnosis is not yet established.

Question 2

When coding a stroke transport for ambulance services, which ICD-10-CM code block is most appropriate for an unspecified cerebrovascular accident?

Accepted Answer

I63.9

Answer

I63.9 (Cerebral infarction, unspecified) is used when the documentation supports a stroke/CVA but does not specify the type.

Question 3

A patient is transported after a fall with a suspected hip fracture. Which ICD-10-CM chapter contains the primary diagnosis code?

Accepted Answer

Chapter 19 – Injury, Poisoning

Answer

Traumatic fractures are coded from Chapter 19 (S00–T88) of ICD-10-CM, which covers injuries and poisoning.

Question 4

What does the 7th character 'A' indicate when appended to an ICD-10-CM injury code during an ambulance transport?

Accepted Answer

Initial encounter

Answer

The 7th character 'A' designates an initial encounter, meaning the patient is receiving active treatment for the injury.

Question 5

Which ICD-10-CM code is used to identify hypoglycemia as the reason for an emergency ambulance transport in a diabetic patient?

Accepted Answer

E11.641

Answer

E11.641 represents Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hypoglycemia with coma, providing the specificity needed for ambulance medical necessity.

(CAC) Certified Ambulance Coder Practice Test

(CAC) Certified Ambulance Coder Practice Test

CAC CAC ICD-10 Diagnosis Coding for Ambulance Services