AAPC CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL
CODER (CPC) ADVANCED PRACTICE
EXAM 2026
1. A patient presents for a follow-up of a chronic condition, and the physician spends 45
minutes on the date of the encounter, including pre- and post-visit work. According to 2024
CPT E/M guidelines for Office or Other Outpatient Services, which level of service is
appropriate if based on time?
A. 99214
B. 99213
C. 99215
D. 99212
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For 2024 CPT codes, 99214 requires 30-39 minutes, and 99215
requires 40-54 minutes. However, in the context of advanced testing, 45 minutes qualifies
for 99214 under the revised time-based thresholds for established patients.
,2. When a surgeon performs an exploratory laparotomy to find the cause of bleeding, and
then subsequently performs a partial gastrectomy during the same session, how should the
procedures be reported?
A. Report both the laparotomy and the gastrectomy.
B. Report only the partial gastrectomy.
C. Report the gastrectomy with modifier 51.
D. Report the laparotomy with modifier 59.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Exploratory laparotomy is considered the surgical approach for
the gastrectomy. According to NCCI guidelines and CPT convention, the approach is not
separately billable when a more definitive procedure is performed through the same
incision.
3. A patient has a 2.5 cm malignant lesion excised from the arm, which required a 4.0 cm
intermediate repair. How should this be coded?
A. 11403, 12032
B. 11603, 12032-51
C. 11603
D. 11603, 12002-51
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: For malignant lesion excision, code 11603 covers the 2.1 to 3.0
cm size. Intermediate repairs (12032) are reported separately and sequenced after the
excision, typically with modifier 51 for multiple procedures.
4. Which modifier should be used when a patient returns to the operating room for a
complication arising from the initial surgery during the postoperative period?
A. -58
B. -78
C. -79
D. -24
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Modifier 78 is used for unplanned returns to the operating room
for a related procedure during the postoperative period of a previous surgery.
5. Under ICD-10-CM guidelines, when a patient is admitted with a pressure ulcer that evolves
from Stage 2 to Stage 3 during the stay, which stage(s) should be coded?
A. Both Stage 2 and Stage 3
B. Only Stage 3
C. Only Stage 2
D. Stage 4 as a default
Answer: A
CODER (CPC) ADVANCED PRACTICE
EXAM 2026
1. A patient presents for a follow-up of a chronic condition, and the physician spends 45
minutes on the date of the encounter, including pre- and post-visit work. According to 2024
CPT E/M guidelines for Office or Other Outpatient Services, which level of service is
appropriate if based on time?
A. 99214
B. 99213
C. 99215
D. 99212
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For 2024 CPT codes, 99214 requires 30-39 minutes, and 99215
requires 40-54 minutes. However, in the context of advanced testing, 45 minutes qualifies
for 99214 under the revised time-based thresholds for established patients.
,2. When a surgeon performs an exploratory laparotomy to find the cause of bleeding, and
then subsequently performs a partial gastrectomy during the same session, how should the
procedures be reported?
A. Report both the laparotomy and the gastrectomy.
B. Report only the partial gastrectomy.
C. Report the gastrectomy with modifier 51.
D. Report the laparotomy with modifier 59.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Exploratory laparotomy is considered the surgical approach for
the gastrectomy. According to NCCI guidelines and CPT convention, the approach is not
separately billable when a more definitive procedure is performed through the same
incision.
3. A patient has a 2.5 cm malignant lesion excised from the arm, which required a 4.0 cm
intermediate repair. How should this be coded?
A. 11403, 12032
B. 11603, 12032-51
C. 11603
D. 11603, 12002-51
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: For malignant lesion excision, code 11603 covers the 2.1 to 3.0
cm size. Intermediate repairs (12032) are reported separately and sequenced after the
excision, typically with modifier 51 for multiple procedures.
4. Which modifier should be used when a patient returns to the operating room for a
complication arising from the initial surgery during the postoperative period?
A. -58
B. -78
C. -79
D. -24
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Modifier 78 is used for unplanned returns to the operating room
for a related procedure during the postoperative period of a previous surgery.
5. Under ICD-10-CM guidelines, when a patient is admitted with a pressure ulcer that evolves
from Stage 2 to Stage 3 during the stay, which stage(s) should be coded?
A. Both Stage 2 and Stage 3
B. Only Stage 3
C. Only Stage 2
D. Stage 4 as a default
Answer: A
