AAPC AAPC-CPC Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

AAPC AAPC-CPC Online Questions & Answers

• Question 81:

  A 67-year-old male presents with DJD and spondylolisthesis at L4-L5 The patient is placed prone on the operating table and, after induction of general anesthesia, the lower back is sterilely prepped and draped.

  One incision was made over L1-L5. This was confirmed with a probe under fluoroscopy. Laminectomies are done at vertebral segments L4 and L5 with facetectomies to relieve pressure to the nerve roots.

  Allograft was packed in the gutters from L1-L5 for a posterior arthrodesis. Pedicle screws wereplaced at

  L2, L3, and L4. The construct was copiously irrigated and muscle; fascia and skin were closed in layers.

  Select the procedure codes for this scenario.

  A. 63005 x 2, 22612, 22614 x 3, 22842
  B. 63042, 63043, 22808, 22841 x 3
  C. 63047, 63048, 22612, 22614 x 3, 22842
  D. 63017, 63048, 22612, 22808, 22842 x 3
  C. 63047, 63048, 22612, 22614 x 3, 22842

• Question 82:

  View MR 007400

  MR 007400

  Radiology Report

  Patient: J. Lowe Date of Service: 06/10/XX

  Age: 45

  MR#: 4589799

  Account #: 3216770

  Location: ABC Imaging Center

  Study: Mammogram bilateral screening, all views, producing direct digital image

  Reason: Screen

  Bilateral digital mammography with computer-aided detection (CAD)

  No previous mammograms are available for comparison.

  Clinical history: The patient has a positive family history (mother and sister) of breast cancer.

  Mammogram was read with the assistance of GE iCAD (computerized diagnostic) system.

  Findings: No dominant speculated mass or suspicious area of clustered pleomorphic microcalcifications is apparent Skin and nipples are seen to be normal. The axilla are unremarkable.

  What CPT coding is reported for this case?

  A. 77067-50, Z80.3, Z12.31
  B. 77066, Z80.3, Z12.31
  C. 77067, Z12.31, Z80.3
  D. 77066-50, Z12.31, Z80.3
  C. 77067, Z12.31, Z80.3

• Question 83:

  An 85-year-old tripped over a rug and hit her shoulder against a cabinet in her bathroom. The fall resulted in a fractured humeral head. Shoulder X-rays revealed bone fragments and the physician replaced the humeral head with a prosthesis.

  The patient is taken to the operating room where anesthesia is administered.

  Report the CPT coding for the anesthesiologist.

  A. 01630, 99100
  B. 01630
  C. 01638
  D. 01638, 99100
  B. 01630

• Question 84:

  A 1-year-old patient has bilateral supernumerary digits: Left digit contains bone and joint and is amputated.

  Right digit is a soft-tissue nubbin and is removed by simple excision.

  What CPT(R) coding is reported?

  A. 26587-LT, 11200-RT
  B. 26910-50
  C. 26910-LT, 11200-RT
  D. 26951-50, 11200-50
  C. 26910-LT, 11200-RT

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  Explanation

  26910 = Amputation of metacarpal with finger or thumb, or removal of supernumerary digit with bone/joint involvement, as reflected by the answer choices. 11200 = Removal of skin tags or soft-tissue nubbin by simple excision.

  Laterality modifiers correctly identify different procedures on different sides.

  Therefore, the correct answer is C. 26910-LT, 11200-RT.

• Question 85:

  A 5-year-old is brought to the QuickCare in the ED to repair two lacerations: a 3 cm laceration on her right arm and 2 cm laceration on her nose. Her arm is repaired with a simple one-layer closure with sutures. Her nose is repaired with a simple repair using tissue adhesive, 2-cyanoacrylate.

  How are the repairs reported?

  A. 12013
  B. 12032, 12041-59
  C. 12002
  D. 12002, 12011-59
  C. 12002

• Question 86:

  A patient with multiple atypical lesions on the face and trunk is in the office for biopsies. A punch tool is used to obtain a full-thickness tissue sample from two lesions on the trunk. A partial-thickness tissue sample is taken from one lesion on the forehead using a curette.

  What CPT(R) coding is reported?

  A. 11104 x 2, 11102
  B. 11104, 11105, 11103
  C. 11104, 11103 x 2
  D. O11104, 11102 x 2
  B. 11104, 11105, 11103

  ---

  Explanation

  Skin biopsy codes are selected based on the biopsy technique. 11104 = Punch biopsy of skin, single lesion.

  11105 = Each separate/additional punch biopsy lesion.

  11102 = Tangential biopsy of skin, single lesion.

  11103 = Each separate/additional tangential biopsy lesion.

  When multiple skin biopsies are performed using different techniques during the same encounter, report one primary biopsy code and the appropriate add-on codes for the additional biopsies.

  The two trunk lesions are punch biopsies, so report 11104 for the first punch biopsy and 11105 for the additional punch biopsy.

  The forehead lesion is a tangential biopsy performed with a curette, so report add-on code 11103 for the additional tangential biopsy.

  Therefore, the correct answer is B. 11104, 11105, 11103.

• Question 87:

  A pathologist performs an analysis using fluorescent microscopy to evaluate a specimen for inherited or acquired chromosomal abnormalities. No specific CPT(R) code accurately describes this service.

  Which unlisted CPT(R) code is reported?

  A. 84999
  B. 88749
  C. 88199
  D. 88299
  D. 88299

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  Explanation

  This scenario describes a cytogenetic-type analysis targeting chromosomal abnormalities, performed using fluorescence-based microscopy techniques. The question explicitly states that no specific CPT code accurately describes the service, which signals that an unlisted code is required.

  In CPT, 88299 is the unlisted procedure code for cytogenetic studies, used when a chromosomal/genetic laboratory procedure does not have a more specific existing CPT descriptor. The other unlisted options correspond to different laboratory sections: 84999 is an unlisted chemistry procedure, 88199 is an unlisted cytopathology procedure, and 88749 is not the correct unlisted cytogenetics code for this context as presented. CPC exam technique: Match the domain first (chromosomes = cytogenetics), then select the appropriate unlisted code within that domain when the stem says no specific CPT code exists.

• Question 88:

  A 5-year-old patient has a fractured radius. The orthopedist provides moderate sedation and performs the reduction. The intra-service sedation time is documented as 21 minutes.

  What CPT(R) code is reported for the moderate sedation?

  A. 99152
  B. 99155
  C. 99151
  D. 99156
  A. 99152

  ---

  Explanation

  Moderate sedation codes are selected by patient age and whether the sedation is provided by the same physician performing the procedure or by a different provider. The stem states the orthopedist provides the sedation and the reduction, so the sedation is provided by the same physician who performs the procedure.

  For age, the patient is 5 years old, which falls into the 5 years or older category. Therefore, the correct initial moderate sedation code is 99152: moderate sedation provided by the same physician or other qualified provider performing the procedure; patient age 5 years or older; initial 15 minutes.

  The documented time is 21 minutes, which supports only the initial code. It does not reach the threshold needed to report an additional 15-minute increment add-on code.

  Code 99151 is for patients under 5 years old, so it does not apply. Codes 99155 and 99156 are for sedation provided by a different provider than the one performing the procedure.

  CPC exam tip: Age cutoffs matter. A patient exactly 5 years old uses the "5 years or older" code set.

• Question 89:

  A 56-year-old female is postmenopausal with abnormal vaginal bleeding. The OB-GYN provider performs a hysteroscopy to examine the uterine cavity.

  What CPT(R) code is reported?

  A. 58558
  B. 58579
  C. 58555
  D. 58578
  C. 58555

  ---

  Explanation

  Procedure and CPT(R)

  Code Selection: The procedure performed was a hysteroscopy to examine the uterine cavity due to abnormal vaginal bleeding. This is a diagnostic hysteroscopy. CPT(R) code 58555 is specifically for a diagnostic hysteroscopy to examine the uterine cavity, which aligns with the procedure performed in this case.

  Rationale for Excluding Other Options: Code 58558 is for hysteroscopy with a surgical procedure, such as biopsy or removal of a lesion or polyp, which was not performed in this case.

  Code 58579 is an unlisted procedure code for the female genital system and is unnecessary here because there is a specific code, 58555, for diagnostic hysteroscopy.

  Code 58578 is also an unlisted hysteroscopic procedure code and is not appropriate when a specific diagnostic code exists.

  AAPC and CPT(R)

  Coding Guidelines: AAPC guidelines indicate that 58555 should be used for diagnostic hysteroscopy procedures without any surgical intervention.

  Therefore, the correct answer, following CPT(R) guidelines, is C. 58555.

• Question 90:

  This 27-year-old male has morbid obesity with a BMI of 45 due to a high calorie diet. He has decided to have an open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The patient is brought to the operating room and placed in supine position. A midline abdominal incision is made. The stomach is mobilized, and the proximal stomach is divided and stapled creating a small proximal pouch in continuity with the esophagus. A short limb of the proximal bowel of 155 cm is divided. It is brought up and anastomosed to the gastric pouch. The other end of the divided bowel is connected back into the distal small bowel to the short limb's gastric anastomosis to restore intestinal continuity. The abdominal incision is closed.

  What are the procedure and diagnosis codes for this encounter?

  A. 43847, E66.01, Z68.42
  B. 43644, E66.01, Z68.43
  C. 43847, E66.9, Z68.42
  D. 43645, E66.8, Z68.42
  A. 43847, E66.01, Z68.42