AAPC AAPC-CPC Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

AAPC AAPC-CPC Online Questions & Answers

• Question 221:

  A 50-year-old female with chronic hepatitis C is undergoing an ultrasound elastography of the liver to determine the existing, baseline degree of the hepatic fibrosis. The radiologist analyzes and interprets all the images.

  What CPT code is reported?

  A. 78215
  B. 76981
  C. 76982
  D. 78201
  B. 76981

• Question 222:

  A patient with intermittent asthma with exacerbation undergoes spirometry before and after bronchodilator.

  What CPT(R) and ICD-10-CM codes are reported?

  A. 94070, 94010, J45.21
  B. 94060, 94010, J45.901
  C. 94070, 94010, J45.901
  D. 94060, 94010, J45.21
  D. 94060, 94010, J45.21

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  Explanation

  94060 = Spirometry before and after bronchodilator. 94010 = Baseline spirometry only and should not be reported separately when pre-and post-bronchodilator spirometry is performed.

  J45.21 = Mild intermittent asthma with acute exacerbation.

  Therefore, the correct coding is 94060, J45.21.

• Question 223:

  An 8-day-old newborn, weighing 3 kilograms, is seen for a circumcision. A numbing cream is applied. A circumferential incision is made and the foreskin is excised with a scalpel.

  What CPT(R) coding is reported?

  A. 54150
  B. 54150-52
  C. 54160
  D. 54160-63
  C. 54160

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  Explanation

  Newborn circumcision coding depends primarily on whether the circumcision is performed using a clamp/ device technique versus a surgical excision technique. CPT 54150 is commonly associated with circumcision using a clamp or other device method. In contrast, CPT 54160 represents surgical circumcision using a circumferential incision with excision of the foreskin, matching the documentation ("circumferential incision... foreskin excised with a scalpel"). The infant's age (8 days old) supports that this is a newborn service, but the decisive factor in this vignette is the technique described. Modifier -52 is not supported because the full circumcision service is performed. Modifier -63 applies to procedures performed on infants less than 4 kg for certain CPT codes when applicable, but it is not universally appended and is not the best answer here given typical CPC exam expectations for standard newborn circumcision technique identification.

  Therefore, 54160 is correct.

• Question 224:

  A 20-year-old female is being seen for the first time by a primary care physician to have a yearly physical.

  During the examination for the physical, the provider discovers non-inflammed lesions on her legs and arms. The physician performs a complete physical and additional separate documentation for the treatment of the lesions on the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The provider has the patient buy an over-the-counter ointment and will continue to watch them.

  What CPT coding is reported for this visit?

  A. 99385
  B. 99202
  C. 99385-25, 99203
  D. 99385, 99203-25
  C. 99385-25, 99203

• Question 225:

  A cardiologist performs remote monitoring for a 30-day period via a previously implanted hemodynamic pulmonary artery pressure monitor for a patient with congestive heart failure with resulting pulmonary edema. The first month of monitoring includes weekly downloads, interpretations, trend analysis, and subsequent reports.

  What CPT(R) code is reported?

  A. 93286
  B. 93264
  C. 93288
  D. 93279
  B. 93264

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  Explanation

  Procedure and CPT(R)

  Code Selection: The cardiologist provided remote monitoring over a 30-day period for a hemodynamic pulmonary artery pressure monitor implanted in a patient with congestive heart failure.

  CPT(R) code 93264 is appropriate for remote monitoring of a hemodynamic system for up to 30 days. This code includes services such as weekly data transmissions, interpretation, trend analysis, and reporting, exactly as described in this case.

  Rationale for Excluding Other Options: Code 93286 is for in-person interrogation and programming of pacemakers or defibrillators, not for remote monitoring of a hemodynamic monitor, making it incorrect.

  Code 93288 is for interrogation device evaluation, remote, specifically for pacemakers or defibrillators, and does not apply to a pulmonary artery pressure monitor.

  Code 93279 is for in-person programming of certain cardiac devices, which does not match the remote monitoring described in this scenario.

  AAPC and CPT(R)

  Coding Guidelines: AAPC and CPT(R) guidelines specify that 93264 is the correct code when reporting remote hemodynamic monitoring for a pulmonary artery pressure device over a period of up to 30 days, including data review and interpretation.

  Therefore, the correct answer is B. 93264.

• Question 226:

  A 47-year-old male recently injured as a passenger in a car accident sustained multiple fractures. The patient now has physical restraints due to pulling out a Foley catheter and IV catheters and attempting to pull out an NG tube. The emergency department physician is asked to see the patient and injects 0.5% lidocaine into the lumbar region of the spine. An indwelling catheter is placed into the lumbar region for continuous infusion with fluoroscopy for pain management.

  What CPT(R) code is reported for the emergency department physician?

  A. 62327
  B. 62326,77003
  C. 62327,77003
  D. 62326
  A. 62327

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  Explanation

  The emergency department physician placed an indwelling catheter into the lumbar region for continuous infusion for pain management with fluoroscopic guidance.

  CPT(R) code 62327 is reported for injection or catheter placement for continuous infusion of anesthetic or analgesic in the lumbar or sacral region, with imaging guidance.

  Fluoroscopic guidance is included in code 62327 and is not reported separately with 77003.

  Code 62326 is for injection or catheter placement without imaging guidance. Since fluoroscopic guidance was documented, 62327 is the correct code.

  Therefore, the correct answer is Option A. 62327.

• Question 227:

  A cardiologist attempted to perform a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of a totally occluded blood vessel. The surgeon stopped the procedure because of an anatomical problem creating risk for the patient and preventing performance of the catheterization.

  What modifier is appended to the procedure code?

  A. 52
  B. 53
  C. 54
  D. 76
  B. 53

• Question 228:

  Which medical term refers to inflammation of the cornea?

  A. Keratitis
  B. Blepharitis
  C. Conjunctivitis
  D. Scleritis
  A. Keratitis

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  Explanation

  Keratitis = inflammation of the cornea.

  Keratitis specifically means inflammation of the cornea, which is the transparent anterior portion of the eye.

  Other options are incorrect because:

  Blepharitis = inflammation of the eyelid

  Conjunctivitis = inflammation of the conjunctiva

  Scleritis = inflammation of the sclera

• Question 229:

  Adenoids, tonsils, appendix, and spleen belong to which organ system?

  A. Lymphatic
  B. Gastrointestinal
  C. Cardiovascular
  D. Nervous
  A. Lymphatic

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  Explanation

  The adenoids, tonsils, appendix, and spleen are all part of the lymphatic system, which plays a crucial role in immune function and filtration of pathogens. These organs contribute to the body's defense by trapping and eliminating bacteria and other pathogens.

  Adenoids and tonsils are lymphatic tissues located in the throat and help prevent infection by filtering pathogens from inhaled or ingested particles.

  The appendix contains lymphoid tissue and is thought to play a role in gut immunity.

  The spleen filters blood, removing old or damaged blood cells and producing lymphocytes for immune response.

  The other options are unrelated: Option B, Gastrointestinal: Involved in digestion, but not specifically immune response.

  Option C, Cardiovascular: Involved in blood circulation, not immune response.

  Option D, Nervous: Coordinates sensory and motor functions, unrelated to lymphatic tissue.

  Therefore, the correct answer is Option A, Lymphatic.

• Question 230:

  What modifier is appended to indicate when a procedure performed during the postoperative period is unrelated to the original surgery?

  A. 57
  B. 79
  C. 25
  D. 55
  B. 79

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  Explanation

  Modifier -79 is used to indicate an unrelated procedure or service performed by the same physician during the postoperative global period.

  -57 = Decision for surgery.

  -25 = Significant, separately identifiable E/M service.

  -55 = Postoperative management only.

  Modifier usage is a high-yield CPC exam topic.