AAPC AAPC-CPC Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

AAPC AAPC-CPC Online Questions & Answers

• Question 401:

  A CRNA is personally performing a case without supervision of an anesthesiologist.

  What modifier is reported for the CRNA services?

  A. QX
  B. QY
  C. QS
  D. QZ
  D. QZ

• Question 402:

  The gynecologist performs a colposcopy of the cervix including biopsy and endocervical curettage.

  What CPT code is reported?

  A. 57456
  B. 57420
  C. 57455
  D. 57454
  D. 57454

• Question 403:

  Which place of service code is submitted on the claim for a service that is performed in an outpatient surgical floor?

  A. 11
  B. 21
  C. 22
  D. 24
  C. 22

• Question 404:

  What is the medical term for the study of the kidney?

  A. Endocrinology
  B. Neurology
  C. Cardiology
  D. Nephrology
  D. Nephrology

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  Explanation

  "Nephr/o" is the combining form meaning kidney, and "-logy" means study of. Therefore, nephrology is the medical specialty focused on the kidneys, normal kidney function, kidney diseases, and their medical management. In CPC-style terminology questions, look for the body-system root first, nephr = kidney, and then confirm the suffix. This differs from urology, which is a surgical specialty addressing the urinary tract and male reproductive system. Endocrinology relates to hormones and glands, neurology relates to the nervous system, and cardiology relates to the heart. A quick word-building check helps avoid distractors:

  nephrology = kidney; cardiology = heart; neurology = nerves/brain; endocrinology = endocrine glands. On the CPC exam, recognizing common combining forms, such as nephr/o and ren/o, and suffix patterns, such as -logy, -itis, and -ectomy, is a frequent testing strategy, so anchoring on "nephr" reliably identifies the correct specialty.

• Question 405:

  According to the Application of Cast and Strapping CPT guidelines, what is reported when an orthopedic provider performs initial fracture care treatment for a closed scaphoid fracture of the wrist, applies a short arm cast, and the patient will be returning for subsequent fracture care?

  A. 25622
  B. 29075
  C. 25622, 29075
  D. 29075-22
  B. 29075

• Question 406:

  An orthopedic surgeon performs tenolysis releasing the extensor tendon of the finger from adhesions. The surgery extends from the finger to the forearm.

  What CPT code is reported?

  A. 26445
  B. 26449
  C. 26455
  D. 26460
  B. 26449

• Question 407:

  The knee joint consists of which three compartments?

  A. Medial, lateral, and patellofemoral
  B. Medial, trochlear groove, and vestibular
  C. Posterior malleolus, scapula, and fibular facet
  D. Medial, lateral, and cochlea
  A. Medial, lateral, and patellofemoral

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  Explanation

  The knee joint consists of three primary compartments:

  1. Medial compartment: The inner portion of the knee where the femur and tibia articulate.

  2. Lateral compartment: The outer portion of the knee where the femur and tibia articulate.

  3. Patellofemoral compartment: The articulation between the patella and the femur.

  These compartments are essential for knee stability and function.

• Question 408:

  A provider orders LC-MS definitive drug testing for suspected acetaminophen overdose.

  What CPT(R) code is reported?

  A. 80324
  B. 80329
  C. 80299
  D. 80143
  D. 80143

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  Explanation

  80143 = Acetaminophen level 80324/80329 = Drug classes, not specific analytes 80299 = Unlisted therapeutic drug assay

• Question 409:

  A 16-year-old female just moved to the area and is living in a campground with her parents. She has several medical conditions, and the parents are unable to take her to a physician's office. A physician sees the patient in the campground and documents medical decision making of moderate complexity. After the visit, the physician spends an additional 25 minutes in a prolonged discussion with the patient's parents; he reviews complex and detailed medical records from her previous physicians and completes a comprehensive treatment plan. A care plan with the local health agency and a dietician is initiated.

  What E/M coding is reported for this visit?

  A. 99349
  B. 99344
  C. 99344,99417
  D. 99204,99417
  C. 99344,99417

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  Explanation

  Service location = campground; this is reported as a home or residence service.

  Patient is new.

  99344 = New patient home or residence visit, moderate MDM.

  Prolonged Services:

  Additional prolonged time is documented beyond the base E/M service. 99417 is used for prolonged services with appropriate office or other outpatient/home or residence E/M codes when the time threshold is met.

  Why others are incorrect: 99349 - Established patient home or residence visit.

  99204 - Office visit; wrong location.

• Question 410:

  A 40-year-old woman with progressive sensorineural hearing loss in the right ear has a cochlear implant placed for the right ear. Anesthesia is provided by a CRNA with medical direction by an anesthesiologist who is concurrently directing 5 CRNAs. Physical status is 3.

  What anesthesia CPT(R) and ICD-10-CM codes are reported by the anesthesiologist?

  A. 00120-AA-P3, H90.41
  B. 00120-AD-P3, H90.41
  C. 00300-QX-P3, H90.5
  D. 00300-QY-P3, H90.5
  B. 00120-AD-P3, H90.41

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  Explanation

  Cochlear implant surgery is an ear procedure and maps to anesthesia code 00120 in this question's option framework. The anesthesiologist is medically directing CRNAs and is concurrently directing 5 CRNAs.

  Under anesthesia modifier rules, when an anesthesiologist is directing more than four concurrent anesthesia procedures, the correct modifier is AD (medical supervision by a physician: more than four concurrent anesthesia procedures). Physical status is given as P3 (severe systemic disease), so append - P3. The diagnosis is progressive sensorineural hearing loss in the right ear; in the options, H90.41 represents unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, right ear, as provided. Options using AA would indicate the anesthesiologist personally performed anesthesia, which is not true here, and QY/QX represent medical direction structures but do not match the "more than four" concurrency described, which specifically triggers AD in these exam-style choices. Therefore, the correct reporting by the anesthesiologist is 00120-AD-P3, H90.41.