CCS Exam Preparation/ Study Guide Questions with
Correct Verified Answers Latest Update 2026/ Rated A+
Question 1: A patient is admitted with pneumonia due to
Streptococcus pneumoniae. What is the correct ICD-10-CM
code assignment for the principal diagnosis?
A) J15.9 - Unspecified bacterial pneumonia
B) J13 - Pneumonia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae
C) J18.9 - Pneumonia, unspecified organism
D) J15.8 - Pneumonia due to other specified bacteria
Answer: B
Rationale: J13 is the specific code for pneumonia due to
Streptococcus pneumoniae. When the organism is documented,
the coder must assign the specific code rather than using an
unspecified code such as J15.9 or J18.9. Coding to the highest
level of specificity is a fundamental coding guideline. Pneumonia
1
,due to Streptococcus pneumoniae is also known as pneumococcal
pneumonia .
Question 2: When assigning ICD-10-CM codes, what does it
mean to "code to the highest level of specificity"?
A) Assign the broadest code available for the condition
B) Use the most detailed code that fully describes the
condition, including laterality, encounter type, and relevant
clinical details
C) Always use the first code listed in the Alphabetic Index
D) Assign a code from the highest chapter number
Answer: B
Rationale: Coding to the highest level of specificity means using
the most detailed code available that fully describes the
patient's condition. This includes specifying laterality (right, left,
bilateral), type of encounter (initial, subsequent, sequela),
severity, and other relevant clinical details. For example,
2
,S52.521A is more specific than S52.5 (torus fracture of lower
end of radius, initial encounter for closed fracture) .
Question 3: The seventh character extension in ICD-10-CM
codes is primarily used to indicate:
A) The provider's specialty
B) The type of encounter (initial, subsequent, or sequela)
C) The patient's age
D) The location of the facility
Answer: B
Rationale: The seventh character extension in ICD-10-CM codes
indicates the type of encounter. "A" is used for initial encounter,
"D" for subsequent encounter, and "S" for sequela. This is
essential for accurately reporting the phase of care being
provided .
3
, Question 4: In ICD-10-CM, laterality must be coded when:
A) The condition affects the left side only
B) The condition affects the right side only
C) The code description includes options for right, left, or
bilateral
D) The physician documents laterality in the medical record
Answer: C
Rationale: Laterality must be coded when the ICD-10-CM code
description includes options for right, left, or bilateral. Coders
should not assign a code specifying laterality if the medical
record documentation does not specify which side is affected,
even if the code options exist. The default is usually to use the
unspecified code if laterality is not documented .
Question 5: Which of the following ICD-10-CM codes is NOT
valid?
A) I10 - Essential (primary) hypertension
4
Correct Verified Answers Latest Update 2026/ Rated A+
Question 1: A patient is admitted with pneumonia due to
Streptococcus pneumoniae. What is the correct ICD-10-CM
code assignment for the principal diagnosis?
A) J15.9 - Unspecified bacterial pneumonia
B) J13 - Pneumonia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae
C) J18.9 - Pneumonia, unspecified organism
D) J15.8 - Pneumonia due to other specified bacteria
Answer: B
Rationale: J13 is the specific code for pneumonia due to
Streptococcus pneumoniae. When the organism is documented,
the coder must assign the specific code rather than using an
unspecified code such as J15.9 or J18.9. Coding to the highest
level of specificity is a fundamental coding guideline. Pneumonia
1
,due to Streptococcus pneumoniae is also known as pneumococcal
pneumonia .
Question 2: When assigning ICD-10-CM codes, what does it
mean to "code to the highest level of specificity"?
A) Assign the broadest code available for the condition
B) Use the most detailed code that fully describes the
condition, including laterality, encounter type, and relevant
clinical details
C) Always use the first code listed in the Alphabetic Index
D) Assign a code from the highest chapter number
Answer: B
Rationale: Coding to the highest level of specificity means using
the most detailed code available that fully describes the
patient's condition. This includes specifying laterality (right, left,
bilateral), type of encounter (initial, subsequent, sequela),
severity, and other relevant clinical details. For example,
2
,S52.521A is more specific than S52.5 (torus fracture of lower
end of radius, initial encounter for closed fracture) .
Question 3: The seventh character extension in ICD-10-CM
codes is primarily used to indicate:
A) The provider's specialty
B) The type of encounter (initial, subsequent, or sequela)
C) The patient's age
D) The location of the facility
Answer: B
Rationale: The seventh character extension in ICD-10-CM codes
indicates the type of encounter. "A" is used for initial encounter,
"D" for subsequent encounter, and "S" for sequela. This is
essential for accurately reporting the phase of care being
provided .
3
, Question 4: In ICD-10-CM, laterality must be coded when:
A) The condition affects the left side only
B) The condition affects the right side only
C) The code description includes options for right, left, or
bilateral
D) The physician documents laterality in the medical record
Answer: C
Rationale: Laterality must be coded when the ICD-10-CM code
description includes options for right, left, or bilateral. Coders
should not assign a code specifying laterality if the medical
record documentation does not specify which side is affected,
even if the code options exist. The default is usually to use the
unspecified code if laterality is not documented .
Question 5: Which of the following ICD-10-CM codes is NOT
valid?
A) I10 - Essential (primary) hypertension
4
