What does the term "manipulation" refer to in the context of fracture or dislocation treatment?
Correct Answer: B
In CPTfracture and dislocation care, manipulation refers to the application of force or traction to restore a bone or joint to its normal anatomic position. This is a key distinction between with manipulation and without manipulation, which directly affects CPT code selection (e.g., 23505 vs. 23500). Manipulation may be performed closed (no incision) or open (with incision).
CPC Exam Question 7
A patient who has colon adenocarcinoma undergoes an open partial colectomy. The surgeon removes the proximal colon and terminal ileum and reconnects the cut ends of the distal ileum and remaining colon. What procedure and diagnosis codes are reported?
Correct Answer: D
1. Procedure and CPTCode Selection: The patient underwent an open partial colectomy involving the removal of the proximal colon and terminal ileum with reconnection of the distal ileum to the remaining colon. CPTCode 44160 is specific for an open partial colectomy with removal of a portion of the colon and the terminal ileum with an ileocolostomy (reconnection of the ileum to the colon). This accurately describes the procedure performed. Code 44140 is for a partial colectomy without removal of the terminal ileum, making it inappropriate in this case. Codes 44205 and 44204 involve laparoscopic approaches for colectomy procedures, but since this procedure was open, these codes are not suitable. 2. Diagnosis and ICD-10-CM Code Selection: ICD-10-CM Code C18.2 is for a malignant neoplasm of the ascending colon, which is specified in this case as colon adenocarcinoma. Code C18.9 represents an unspecified malignant neoplasm of the colon, which is less specific than C18.2. Therefore, C18.2 is the most accurate choice based on the location of the adenocarcinoma. 3. AAPC and CPTCoding Guidelines: Per AAPC guidelines, selecting the correct colectomy code involves identifying the specific approach (open vs. laparoscopic) and anatomical structures resected, both of which align with 44160 for this open ileocolic resection. Thus, the correct answer, based on CPTand ICD-10-CM guidelines, is D. 44160, C18.2.
CPC Exam Question 8
A 3-day-old died in her sleep. The pediatrician determined this was the result of crib death syndrome. The parents give permission to refer the newborn for a necropsy. The pathologist receives the newborn with her brain and performs a gross and microscopic examination. The physician issues the findings and reports they are consistent with a normal female newborn. What CPTcode is reported?
Correct Answer: A
Procedure: Gross and microscopic examination of a newborn autopsy. CPTCode: 88028: This code is for the autopsy, gross and microscopic examination of a stillborn or newborn. Code Selection Justification: The procedure described matches the comprehensive postmortem examination of a newborn. AMA CPTProfessional Edition (current year) ICD-10-CM (current year) HCPCS Level II (current year)
CPC Exam Question 9
A physician orders an obstetric panel that includes syphilis screening using the non-treponemal antibody approach, an automated CBC with manual differential WBC count, HBsAg, rubella antibody, a serum antibody screen, and ABO and Rh blood typing. What CPTcoding is reported?
Correct Answer: A
1. Procedure and CPTCode Selection: The obstetric panel ordered includes the following tests: syphilis screening (non-treponemal), automated CBC with manual differential WBC count, HBsAg, rubella antibody, serum antibody screen, and ABO/Rh blood typing. CPTCode 80055 is for a comprehensive obstetric panel that includes all these components. This code is intended to report the entire panel of tests as a bundled service rather than itemizing each individual test. 2. Rationale for Excluding Other Options: Option B lists the individual component codes for each test in the obstetric panel (e.g., 85027, 85007, 87340, etc.), but using 80055 is more appropriate because it provides a single code to report the full obstetric panel and follows CPTbundling guidelines. Option C also lists the individual tests separately, which is unnecessary when 80055 includes all these components. Option D lists 80081, which is for an obstetric panel that includes HIV testing. Since HIV testing is not part of the tests described in this scenario, 80081 is incorrect. 3. AAPC and CPTCoding Guidelines: AAPC guidelines recommend using the single code 80055 when all components of an obstetric panel are ordered together, as itemizing each test individually is not necessary. Therefore, the correct answer is A. 80055.
CPC Exam Question 10
(A patient is seen for nausea, vomiting, and sharp right lower abdominal pain. CT and labs support a diagnosis ofchronic appendicitis. The physician schedules anopen appendectomyand removes the appendix. What CPTand diagnosis codes are reported?)
Correct Answer: C
The operative approach is explicitlyopen surgery, so the correct CPT procedure code is44950(appendectomy; open). Code44970is thelaparoscopicappendectomy code and is not supported because the scenario states "open surgery." For diagnosis, the physician's final diagnosis ischronic appendicitis, which is reported withK36(other appendicitis) in the context of this question's choices;K35.80represents acute appendicitis (unspecified acute) and does not match "chronic." You also do not report symptom codes (nausea/vomiting /abdominal pain) once a definitive diagnosis is established and documented as the reason for the surgery, unless a guideline or scenario specifically requires them as additional reporting (this question does not). Therefore, the correct pairing is44950withK36only. CPC exam tip: always matchapproach(open vs laparoscopic) and code thefinal confirmed diagnosisrather than presenting symptoms when the definitive diagnosis is known.
