Pass the AAPC Certified Professional Coder CPC Questions and answers with Dumpstech

1. Procedure and CPT® Code Selection:

The urinalysis performed was non-automated and without microscopy.

CPT® Code 81002 is appropriate for a non-automated urinalysis without microscopy. This code accurately reflects the test performed in the office.

2. Diagnosis and ICD-10-CM Code Selection:

ICD-10-CM Code R30.0 is used for dysuria, which was one of the patient's presenting symptoms.

ICD-10-CM Code R10.30 is used for lower abdominal pain, another presenting symptom.

Since the urinalysis ruled out a urinary tract infection, N39.0 (UTI) is not appropriate as a final diagnosis.

3. Rationale for Excluding Other Options:

Code 81000 (in options A and B) is for a urinalysis with microscopy, which was not performed here.

N39.0 is used when a UTI is confirmed, which is incorrect for this case since the urinalysis was negative, ruling out UTI.

4. AAPC and CPT® Coding Guidelines:

AAPC guidelines recommend coding based on the symptoms when a specific diagnosis (such as UTI) is ruled out. Therefore, R30.0 and R10.30 are appropriate symptom codes for this encounter.

Thus, the correct answer is C. 81002, R30.0, R10.30.

69200 – Removal of foreign body from external auditory canal; without anesthesia

Correct for simple removal using forceps

Patient tolerated procedure without anesthesia

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

69110 / 69105 – Middle ear procedures

69205 – Removal with general anesthesia

The injection into the trochanteric bursa under ultrasonic guidance is coded with CPT® 20611, which describes an injection of a major joint or bursa with ultrasound guidance. The modifier -LT indicates the procedure was performed on the left side.

CPT® code 49083 describes an abdominal paracentesis with imaging guidance, such as ultrasound. This code includes the imaging guidance as part of the procedure, so it is not necessary to separately report the ultrasonic guidance.

The patient had a post-operative complication (cardiac tamponade) following a previous CABG surgery, requiring a return to the operating room for exploration and evacuation of a blood clot. This is coded using CPT code 32658 (Exploration, mediastinum, with or without drainage; for postoperative hemorrhage, drainage of abscess, or to locate foreign body). Modifier 78 is appended to indicate an unplanned return to the operating room by the same physician following the initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period.

Injection of atropine: Atropine is administered to reduce sialorrhea.

Bilateral submandibular salivary glands: The physician administers the injections into the salivary glands.

Total of four glands: Indicates that multiple glands are treated in the same session.

CPT code 64611 accurately represents chemodenervation of the salivary glands, bilateral. The use of -50, -52, or x4 modifiers is not appropriate since CPT guidelines include bilateral procedures in this code without needing additional modifiers or codes.

99222 = Initial hospital inpatient care, moderate MDM

Extensive diagnostic workup → moderate complexity

Final diagnosis established during admission

Diagnosis Coding:

G00.9 – Bacterial meningitis, unspecified

Do not code symptoms (fever, neck pain) once definitive diagnosis is confirmed

Why others are incorrect:

99284 – ED visit

99264 – Inpatient consultation (deleted code)

Symptom-only diagnosis codes inappropriate

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

-55 = postoperative management only

Modifier usage is a high-yield CPC exam topic.

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure performed to reconstruct or reshape the nose. It can be done for cosmetic reasons or to improve breathing function. The term "rhino" refers to the nose, and "plasty" refers to the surgical molding or forming of a part of the body.

AMA's CPT® Professional Edition, medical dictionaries