FREE Certified Professional Coder Basic Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 23-year-old woman is currently being treated for anemia by her doctor. She had an appendectomy one week ago. Her hemoglobin level was 13.4 g/dL before surgery. Her lab results showed a 10.3 g/dL level today, and the doctor deduced that she lost a significant amount of blood during her appendectomy. Prior to the surgery, she had no history of anemia.
What is the accurate anemia diagnosis for this patient?

Accepted Answer

D62

Answer

The patient developed anemia acutely after an appendectomy, with a significant drop in hemoglobin from 13.4 g/dL to 10.3 g/dL, and no prior history of anemia. This clinical picture indicates acute blood loss anemia. ICD-10 code D62 specifically represents 'Acute posthemorrhagic anemia,' which accurately describes anemia resulting from sudden, significant blood loss, such as that experienced during surgery.

Question 2

A patient with COPD is admitted to the hospital for treatment of bacterial pneumonia. The patient has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Which ICD-10 codes ought to be applied?

Accepted Answer

J44.0, J15.9

Answer

When a patient with COPD is admitted for an acute lower respiratory infection like bacterial pneumonia, the appropriate primary ICD-10 code is J44.0, 'Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with acute lower respiratory infection.' This combination code indicates that the COPD is complicated by an acute infection. J15.9, 'Bacterial pneumonia, unspecified,' is then used as a secondary code to specify the type of acute lower respiratory infection.

Question 3

Should the location of the line's beginning (the insertion) or its end (the ________) be coded when a catheter is placed in the right middle artery?

Accepted Answer

Beginning

Answer

In CPT coding for vascular catheterization procedures, the initial access site, or the 'beginning' of the line, is a crucial factor in determining the appropriate code. While the furthest point the catheter reaches (the 'end' or target vessel) is also vital for selective catheterization codes, the question focuses on the choice between the beginning (insertion) and the end. The insertion site dictates the approach and initial access code.

Question 4

The patient arrives at the clinic and complains of having a sore throat. It has an intensely red throat. Both sinus drainage and fever are absent. In order to rule out strep throat, the doctor requests a throat swab. The test's findings are unfavorable.
What ICD-10 code is accurate?

Accepted Answer

R07.0

Answer

The patient presents with a sore throat, which is a symptom, but the strep test was negative, ruling out a specific bacterial infection. Without a definitive diagnosis for the cause of the sore throat (e.g., viral pharyngitis), the most appropriate ICD-10 code is for the symptom itself. R07.0 specifically codes for 'Sore throat,' which is used when a more precise diagnosis cannot be established.

Question 5

Other names for the tympanic membrane include:

Accepted Answer

ear drum

Answer

The tympanic membrane is the medical term for the eardrum. It is a thin, cone-shaped membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear and vibrates when sound waves strike it, transmitting these vibrations to the ossicles in the middle ear.

CPC - Certified Professional Coder Practice Test

CPC - Certified Professional Coder Practice Test

FREE Certified Professional Coder Basic Questions and Answers