AAPC AAPC-CPC Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

AAPC AAPC-CPC Online Questions & Answers

• Question 471:

  Full Case: Location: ABC Outpatient Clinic. Patient: 60-year-old menopausal female. Independent radiologist (not employed by hospital): Dr. Q. Chief complaint: Uterine cramping. Procedure: Transvaginal ultrasound. Findings: Ovaries normal; measurements given (note: left ovary listed twice with different dimensions); uterus 5.2 x 5.1 x 4.0; endometrial stripe 0.8 cm; uterus without focal hypoechoic mass; ovoid anechoic foci in lower uterus/cervix due to Nabothian cysts; no adnexal fluid or mass; cervix thickness/

  length normal; true sagittal thickest portion measured.

  What CPT(R) and ICD-10-CM codes are reported for the independent radiologist who provided the interpretation of the ultrasound?

  A. 76830-26, N94.89
  B. 76817, N94.89
  C. 76817-26, N94.9
  D. 76830, N94.9
  A. 76830-26, N94.89

  ---

  Explanation

  The documented study is a transvaginal pelvic ultrasound, which is coded with 76830 (ultrasound, transvaginal). Because the service is billed by an independent radiologist providing only the interpretation, the correct reporting is the professional component with modifier -26 (interpretation and report), not the global code. That makes 76830-26 the correct CPT(R) selection. Code 76817 is for transvaginal ultrasound in pregnancy/obstetric contexts, which is not supported here because the patient is menopausal and no pregnancy evaluation is described. For diagnosis, the chief complaint is uterine cramping, and the options provide pelvic pain codes; N94.89 (other specified conditions associated with female genital organs and menstrual cycle) is the best match among the choices provided for uterine cramping/pelvic symptom documentation. N94.9 is less specific, "unspecified," so when a more specific option is available in the answer set, select N94.89. Therefore, the correct combination for the interpreting independent

  radiologist is 76830-26, N94.89.

• Question 472:

  Ms. C is diagnosed with a supratentorial intracerebral hematoma, and the neurologist performs a craniectomy to access the hematoma. The hematoma is accessed, and a suction device is used to remove it.

  What CPT(R) code is reported?

  A. 61314
  B. 61154
  C. 61313
  D. 61312
  A. 61314

  ---

  Explanation

  The procedure described is a craniectomy to access and remove a supratentorial intracerebral hematoma using a suction device.

  CPT(R) code 61314 is specific for craniectomy or craniotomy for evacuation of a hematoma, supratentorial, intracerebral, and includes any required dural repair and closure. This code precisely describes the procedure performed to remove the hematoma.

  Why Other Options are incorrect: Code 61154 is used for a burr hole procedure for the evacuation of a hematoma, which is a less invasive approach and does not involve a craniectomy. Code 61313 is for craniectomy or craniotomy to evacuate an infratentorial hematoma, which is located in the lower portion of the brain/posterior fossa and is not applicable here. Code 61312 is for evacuation of an epidural or subdural hematoma and does not apply to an intracerebral hematoma as described in this case.

  AAPC and CPT(R) coding

  Guidelines: According to AAPC and CPT(R) coding guidelines, 61314 is the appropriate code for craniectomy or craniotomy procedures aimed at removing supratentorial intracerebral hematomas, as it covers the full scope of the documented procedure.

  Thus, the correct answer is Option A. 61314.

• Question 473:

  What does the prefix "sub-" signify in medical terminology?

  A. Outside
  B. Above
  C. Within
  D. Below
  D. Below

  ---

  Explanation

  The prefix "sub-" means below or under.

  Common examples include subcutaneous (below the skin) and sublingual (under the tongue).

  This is a core concept tested under medical terminology on the CPC exam.

• Question 474:

  View MR 001394

  MR 001394

  Operative Report

  Procedure: Excision of 11 cm back lesion with rotation flap repair.

  Preoperative Diagnosis: Basal cell carcinoma

  Postoperative Diagnosis: Same

  Anesthesia: 1% Xylocaine solution with epinephrine warmed and buffered and injected slowly through a 30-gauge needle for the patient's comfort.

  Location: Back

  Size of Excision: 11 cm

  Estimated Blood Loss: Minimal

  Complications: None

  Specimen: Sent to the lab in saline for frozen section margin control.

  Procedure: The patient was taken to our surgical suite, placed in a comfortable position, prepped and

  draped, and locally anesthetized in the usual sterile fashion. A #15 scalpel blade was used to excise the

  basal cell carcinoma plus a margin of normal skin in a circular fashion in the natural relaxed skin tension lines as much as possible.

  The lesion was removed full thickness including epidermis, dermis, and partial thickness subcutaneous tissues. The wound was then spot electro desiccated for hemorrhage control. The specimen was sent to the lab on saline for frozen section.

  Rotation flap repair of defect created by foil thickness frozen section excision of basal cell carcinoma of the back. We were able to devise a 12 sq cm flap and advance it using rotation flap closure technique. This will prevent infection, dehiscence, and help reconstruct the area to approximate the situation as it was prior to surgical excision diminishing the risk of significant pain and distortion of the anatomy in the area. This was advanced medially to close the defect with 5 0 Vicryl and 6-0 Prolene stitches.

  What CPT coding is reported for this case?

  A. 14001
  B. 15271
  C. 14001, 11606-51, 12034-51
  D. 14001, 11606-51
  A. 14001

• Question 475:

  A 4-year-old, critically ill child is admitted to the PICU from the ED with respiratory failure due to an exacerbation of asthma not manageable in the ER. The PICU provider takes over the care of the patient and starts continuous bronchodilator therapy and pharmacologic support with cardiovascular monitoring and possible mechanical ventilation support.

  What is the E/M code for this encounter?

  A. 99285
  B. 99475
  C. 99291
  D. 99471
  B. 99475