MEDICAL CODING CPC EXAM – QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL
DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES |
GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
2026/2027
*CORE DOMAINS*
*Medical Terminology*
*Anatomy*
*Compliance and Regulat
*CPT Coding Guideline
*ICD-10-CM Diagnosis*
*HCPCS Level II*
*Evaluation and Manage
*Surgery*
*INTRODUCTION*
The Certified Professional Coder exam serves as
the gold standard for medical coding proficiency in
the outpatient setting. This assessment is designed
to rigorously evaluate a candidate's mastery of the
CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II code sets.
The examination focuses on the application of
coding rules to clinical documentation, ensuring
accuracy in reporting medical procedures and
diagnoses. Through a mix of theoretical questions
,and complex clinical scenarios, this exam assesses
critical thinking, regulatory compliance, and ethical
decision-making. Success requires a deep
understanding of anatomical structures and surgical
processes, mirroring the high-stakes environment of
real-world healthcare administration.
*SECTION ONE*
1. Which of the following describes a
"subsequent" encounter in the context of ICD-
10-CM coding for injuries?
A. The initial visit for the current injury.
B. Encounters after the patient has received active
treatment for the condition and is receiving routine
care during the healing phase.
C. The very last visit before a patient is discharged
from care.
D. A visit where the patient is seen for a new
complication of the original injury.
🟢 B. Encounters after the patient has received
active treatment for the condition and is receiving
routine care during the healing phase.
🔴 Explanation: Per ICD-10-CM guidelines, the
seventh character "D" is used for encounters after
,the patient has completed active treatment and is
now receiving routine care during the recovery
phase.
2. A 45-year-old patient presents for a screening
colonoscopy. During the procedure, the
physician identifies and removes a polyp in the
sigmoid colon using a snare technique. What
is the correct CPT code assignment?
A. 45378
B. 45380
C. 45385
D. 45384
🟢 C. 45385
🔴 Explanation: CPT code 45385 describes a
colonoscopy with removal of tumor(s), polyp(s), or
other lesion(s) by snare technique. Since a polyp
was removed, the screening code is no longer
appropriate.
3. Under HIPAA, what is the term used to
describe the removal of specific identifiers that
could be used to link the information to an
individual?
A. Encryption
B. De-identification
, C. Authorization
D. Disclosure
🟢 B. De-identification
🔴 Explanation: De-identification is the process of
removing all Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA) identifiers from Protected
Health Information (PHI) so that the remaining data
cannot be linked to a specific person.
4. Which anatomical structure connects the
middle ear to the nasopharynx?
A. External auditory canal
B. Eustachian tube
C. Semicircular canal
D. Cochlea
🟢 B. Eustachian tube
🔴 Explanation: The Eustachian tube (auditory
tube) serves to equalize pressure between the
middle ear and the atmosphere by connecting it to
the nasopharynx.
5. A patient is diagnosed with acute respiratory
failure with hypercapnia. What is the correct
ICD-10-CM code?
AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL
DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES |
GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
2026/2027
*CORE DOMAINS*
*Medical Terminology*
*Anatomy*
*Compliance and Regulat
*CPT Coding Guideline
*ICD-10-CM Diagnosis*
*HCPCS Level II*
*Evaluation and Manage
*Surgery*
*INTRODUCTION*
The Certified Professional Coder exam serves as
the gold standard for medical coding proficiency in
the outpatient setting. This assessment is designed
to rigorously evaluate a candidate's mastery of the
CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II code sets.
The examination focuses on the application of
coding rules to clinical documentation, ensuring
accuracy in reporting medical procedures and
diagnoses. Through a mix of theoretical questions
,and complex clinical scenarios, this exam assesses
critical thinking, regulatory compliance, and ethical
decision-making. Success requires a deep
understanding of anatomical structures and surgical
processes, mirroring the high-stakes environment of
real-world healthcare administration.
*SECTION ONE*
1. Which of the following describes a
"subsequent" encounter in the context of ICD-
10-CM coding for injuries?
A. The initial visit for the current injury.
B. Encounters after the patient has received active
treatment for the condition and is receiving routine
care during the healing phase.
C. The very last visit before a patient is discharged
from care.
D. A visit where the patient is seen for a new
complication of the original injury.
🟢 B. Encounters after the patient has received
active treatment for the condition and is receiving
routine care during the healing phase.
🔴 Explanation: Per ICD-10-CM guidelines, the
seventh character "D" is used for encounters after
,the patient has completed active treatment and is
now receiving routine care during the recovery
phase.
2. A 45-year-old patient presents for a screening
colonoscopy. During the procedure, the
physician identifies and removes a polyp in the
sigmoid colon using a snare technique. What
is the correct CPT code assignment?
A. 45378
B. 45380
C. 45385
D. 45384
🟢 C. 45385
🔴 Explanation: CPT code 45385 describes a
colonoscopy with removal of tumor(s), polyp(s), or
other lesion(s) by snare technique. Since a polyp
was removed, the screening code is no longer
appropriate.
3. Under HIPAA, what is the term used to
describe the removal of specific identifiers that
could be used to link the information to an
individual?
A. Encryption
B. De-identification
, C. Authorization
D. Disclosure
🟢 B. De-identification
🔴 Explanation: De-identification is the process of
removing all Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA) identifiers from Protected
Health Information (PHI) so that the remaining data
cannot be linked to a specific person.
4. Which anatomical structure connects the
middle ear to the nasopharynx?
A. External auditory canal
B. Eustachian tube
C. Semicircular canal
D. Cochlea
🟢 B. Eustachian tube
🔴 Explanation: The Eustachian tube (auditory
tube) serves to equalize pressure between the
middle ear and the atmosphere by connecting it to
the nasopharynx.
5. A patient is diagnosed with acute respiratory
failure with hypercapnia. What is the correct
ICD-10-CM code?
