CERTIFIED CODING SPECIALIST (CCS)EXAM PREP 2
NEWEST 2026 ACTUAL EXAM| COMPLETE 250
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/
ALREADY GRADED A+
1. A patient is admitted with acute respiratory failure due to
pneumonia. The pneumonia is the underlying cause. How
should the codes be sequenced?
A) Pneumonia first, then acute respiratory failure
B) Acute respiratory failure first, then pneumonia
C) Only the pneumonia code
D) Only the acute respiratory failure code
Answer: A) Pneumonia first, then acute respiratory failure
Rationale: According to ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, when a
patient is admitted with acute respiratory failure due to an
underlying condition, the underlying condition (pneumonia) should
1
,be sequenced as the principal diagnosis, followed by the acute
respiratory failure code . The respiratory failure is a manifestation
of the underlying condition and should be reported as an additional
diagnosis.
2. Which of the following is an "Excludes1" note in ICD-10-
CM?
A) Two codes cannot be used together
B) Two codes can be used together if conditions are present
C) The code requires a seventh character
D) The code requires an additional diagnosis code
Answer: A) Two codes cannot be used together
Rationale: An "Excludes1" note indicates that two codes cannot be
used together at the same encounter because the conditions are
2
,mutually exclusive. The patient cannot have both conditions
simultaneously .
3. A provider documents "COPD with acute exacerbation."
What is the appropriate ICD-10-CM code assignment?
A) J44.0 COPD with acute exacerbation
B) J44.9 COPD, unspecified
C) J44.1 COPD with exacerbation, unspecified
D) J43.9 Emphysema
Answer: A) J44.0 COPD with acute exacerbation
Rationale: ICD-10-CM category J44.0 specifically identifies COPD
with acute exacerbation. This code captures both the chronic
condition and the acute worsening. J44.1 is for COPD with
exacerbation (unspecified), while J44.9 is for COPD without
complications .
3
, 4. A patient is diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes mellitus with
diabetic neuropathy. What is the appropriate code
assignment?
A) E11.40 Type 2 diabetes with diabetic neuropathy,
unspecified
B) E11.9 Type 2 diabetes without complications
C) E11.40 E11.9
D) E11.40 G60.0
Answer: A) E11.40 Type 2 diabetes with diabetic neuropathy,
unspecified
Rationale: ICD-10-CM classifies Type 2 diabetes with diabetic
neuropathy under E11.40. The diabetic neuropathy is a
manifestation of the diabetes and is reported as a combination
4
NEWEST 2026 ACTUAL EXAM| COMPLETE 250
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/
ALREADY GRADED A+
1. A patient is admitted with acute respiratory failure due to
pneumonia. The pneumonia is the underlying cause. How
should the codes be sequenced?
A) Pneumonia first, then acute respiratory failure
B) Acute respiratory failure first, then pneumonia
C) Only the pneumonia code
D) Only the acute respiratory failure code
Answer: A) Pneumonia first, then acute respiratory failure
Rationale: According to ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, when a
patient is admitted with acute respiratory failure due to an
underlying condition, the underlying condition (pneumonia) should
1
,be sequenced as the principal diagnosis, followed by the acute
respiratory failure code . The respiratory failure is a manifestation
of the underlying condition and should be reported as an additional
diagnosis.
2. Which of the following is an "Excludes1" note in ICD-10-
CM?
A) Two codes cannot be used together
B) Two codes can be used together if conditions are present
C) The code requires a seventh character
D) The code requires an additional diagnosis code
Answer: A) Two codes cannot be used together
Rationale: An "Excludes1" note indicates that two codes cannot be
used together at the same encounter because the conditions are
2
,mutually exclusive. The patient cannot have both conditions
simultaneously .
3. A provider documents "COPD with acute exacerbation."
What is the appropriate ICD-10-CM code assignment?
A) J44.0 COPD with acute exacerbation
B) J44.9 COPD, unspecified
C) J44.1 COPD with exacerbation, unspecified
D) J43.9 Emphysema
Answer: A) J44.0 COPD with acute exacerbation
Rationale: ICD-10-CM category J44.0 specifically identifies COPD
with acute exacerbation. This code captures both the chronic
condition and the acute worsening. J44.1 is for COPD with
exacerbation (unspecified), while J44.9 is for COPD without
complications .
3
, 4. A patient is diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes mellitus with
diabetic neuropathy. What is the appropriate code
assignment?
A) E11.40 Type 2 diabetes with diabetic neuropathy,
unspecified
B) E11.9 Type 2 diabetes without complications
C) E11.40 E11.9
D) E11.40 G60.0
Answer: A) E11.40 Type 2 diabetes with diabetic neuropathy,
unspecified
Rationale: ICD-10-CM classifies Type 2 diabetes with diabetic
neuropathy under E11.40. The diabetic neuropathy is a
manifestation of the diabetes and is reported as a combination
4
