AAPC CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL
CODER (CPC) PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which suffix refers to the surgical creation of an opening?
A. -ectomy
B. -otomy
C. -ostomy
D. -pexy
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The suffix -ostomy means the surgical creation of an artificial
opening. -ectomy is removal, -otomy is incision, and -pexy is fixation.
2. According to the CPT coding guidelines, when an excision of a lesion is performed and the
wound requires a complex repair, how should it be coded?
A. Code the excision only as repair is included
B. Code the excision and a simple repair
C. Code only the complex repair
,D. Code both the excision and the complex repair
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: CPT guidelines state that intermediate and complex repairs are
coded separately in addition to the excision of benign or malignant lesions.
3. Which ICD-10-CM code should be sequenced first when a patient is seen for treatment of a
complication resulting from a previous condition?
A. The code for the original condition
B. A Z code for follow-up
C. The code for the complication itself
D. A code for the late effect (sequela)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: ICD-10-CM guidelines generally require the code for the acute
complication to be sequenced first, followed by a code for the sequela if applicable.
4. A 65-year-old patient receives a flu vaccine and a pneumonia vaccine during the same
encounter. Which HCPCS Level II code is used for the administration of the influenza vaccine
for a Medicare patient?
A. G0008
B. 90686
C. G0009
, D. 90471
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: G0008 is the specific HCPCS code for the administration of the
influenza virus vaccine for Medicare patients.
5. Under HIPAA, which of the following is NOT considered ‘Protected Health Information’
(PHI)?
A. Patient name
B. Social Security number
C. Patient email address
D. Aggregated data that cannot identify a specific individual
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: De-identified or aggregated data that does not allow for the
identification of a specific individual is not considered PHI.
6. A patient is diagnosed with hypertensive chronic kidney disease, stage 3. According to ICD-
10-CM coding conventions, what is the proper coding sequence?
A. I10, N18.30
B. I15.1, N18.30
C. N18.30, I10
D. I12.9, N18.30
CODER (CPC) PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which suffix refers to the surgical creation of an opening?
A. -ectomy
B. -otomy
C. -ostomy
D. -pexy
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The suffix -ostomy means the surgical creation of an artificial
opening. -ectomy is removal, -otomy is incision, and -pexy is fixation.
2. According to the CPT coding guidelines, when an excision of a lesion is performed and the
wound requires a complex repair, how should it be coded?
A. Code the excision only as repair is included
B. Code the excision and a simple repair
C. Code only the complex repair
,D. Code both the excision and the complex repair
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: CPT guidelines state that intermediate and complex repairs are
coded separately in addition to the excision of benign or malignant lesions.
3. Which ICD-10-CM code should be sequenced first when a patient is seen for treatment of a
complication resulting from a previous condition?
A. The code for the original condition
B. A Z code for follow-up
C. The code for the complication itself
D. A code for the late effect (sequela)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: ICD-10-CM guidelines generally require the code for the acute
complication to be sequenced first, followed by a code for the sequela if applicable.
4. A 65-year-old patient receives a flu vaccine and a pneumonia vaccine during the same
encounter. Which HCPCS Level II code is used for the administration of the influenza vaccine
for a Medicare patient?
A. G0008
B. 90686
C. G0009
, D. 90471
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: G0008 is the specific HCPCS code for the administration of the
influenza virus vaccine for Medicare patients.
5. Under HIPAA, which of the following is NOT considered ‘Protected Health Information’
(PHI)?
A. Patient name
B. Social Security number
C. Patient email address
D. Aggregated data that cannot identify a specific individual
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: De-identified or aggregated data that does not allow for the
identification of a specific individual is not considered PHI.
6. A patient is diagnosed with hypertensive chronic kidney disease, stage 3. According to ICD-
10-CM coding conventions, what is the proper coding sequence?
A. I10, N18.30
B. I15.1, N18.30
C. N18.30, I10
D. I12.9, N18.30
