RHIT - Registered Health Information Technician Medical Coding Principles 2

Question 1

What is the correct definition of the 'principal diagnosis' in inpatient coding?

Accepted Answer

The condition established after study to be chiefly responsible for occasioning the admission

Answer

The principal diagnosis is the condition chiefly responsible for the admission, determined after study.

Question 2

In ICD-10-CM, what is the purpose of the seventh character?

Accepted Answer

To provide additional information such as the type of encounter (initial, subsequent, or sequela)

Answer

The seventh character commonly indicates initial (A), subsequent (D), or sequela (S) encounter type.

Question 3

What is the difference between a CC and an MCC in the MS-DRG system?

Accepted Answer

An MCC represents a more severe secondary condition with greater impact on resource utilization and higher-weighted DRG

Answer

MCCs represent conditions with higher severity and greater resource consumption impact.

Question 4

When coding an outpatient encounter without a definitive diagnosis, what should the coder assign?

Accepted Answer

Signs and symptoms codes that are documented and relevant

Answer

In outpatient settings, uncertain diagnoses are coded using signs and symptoms, not probable or suspected conditions.

Question 5

What is the purpose of CPT modifiers?

Accepted Answer

To provide additional information about circumstances without changing the code's definition

Answer

CPT modifiers indicate that a service was altered by specific circumstances without changing its basic definition.

RHIT - Registered Health Information Technician Practice Test