AAPC Chapter 18 Pathology Laboratory fully solved graded A+ 2023/2024

AAPC Chapter 18 Pathology LaboratoryA test determining the presence or absence of a substance is considered what type of test? - correct answer Qualitative RATIONALE: A qualitative test determines the presence or absence of the substance. The word "pathology" refers to the study of: - correct answer Disease RATIONALE: The root word path means "disease". The suffix ~logy is "study of". Which word describes the study of small life forms? - correct answer Microbiology RATIONALE: The root words micro (small) and bio (life) combined with ~logy describe the study of small life forms. A patient has a history of prostate cancer with removal of the prostate and has completed radiation therapy with no recurrence for 2 years. A PSA is performed to check for any recurrence. The results show a PSA within normal limits. What diagnosis code(s) describe(s) this test? - correct answer Z08, Z85.46 RATIONALE: Per ICD-10-CM coding guideline I.C.21.c.8 follow-up codes are used to explain continuing surveillance following completed treatment of a disease, condition, or injury. They imply that the condition has been fully treated and no longer exists. The follow-up code is sequenced first followed by the history code. Look in the ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index for Examination/follow-up (routine) (following)/radiotherapy NEC/malignant neoplasm directing you to Z08. Once cancer has been excised and there is no further treatment directed toward the cancer site without recurrence, code a personal history of malignancy code. Look for History/personal (of)/malignant neoplasm (of)/prostate directing you to Z85.46. Confirm codes in the Tabular List. According to AHA Coding Clinic (2000 Vol. 17 No.4) screening codes are not used for patients who have any sign or symptom of a suspected condition or history of a condition. A patient has been exposed to rabies. He has no signs or symptoms of infection. A test is performed to check for rabies in his blood. What code describes the necessity for the test? - correct answer Z20.3 RATIONALE: The codes in category Z20 are for exposure/contact to a disease without signs or symptoms of infection. Look in the ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index for Exposure (to)/rabies Z20.3. A woman comes in for her annual exam with a cervical Pap smear. The results are abnormal, although they are not diagnostic of any specific disease. A second Pap smear is obtained and this test identifies only normal cells. What diagnosis code identifies the medical necessity for the second Pap smear? - correct answer R87.619 RATIONALE: Choose a code that identifies unspecified previous abnormal findings on cervical Pap smear. Although the second test results came back normal, the previous abnormal finding supports the need for a repeat test. Look in the ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index for Findings, abnormal, inconclusive, without diagnosis/Papanicolaou cervix directing you to R87.619. Verify this code in the Tabular List. A patient presents with right upper quadrant pain, nausea, and other symptoms of liver disease as well as complaints of decreased urination. Her physician orders an albumin; bilirubin, both total and direct; alkaline phosphatase; total protein; alanine amino transferase; aspartate amino transferase, and creatinine. How should this be coded? - correct answer 80076, 82565 RATIONALE: Code the panel when all of the tests listed in the panel are completed. If additional tests are also performed, they are coded separately. The first 7 tests are all listed in code 80076. This leaves creatinine, which is reported with code 82565. Look in the CPT® Index for Panel, this directs you to See Blood Tests; Organ or Disease-Oriented Panel. Look for Blood Tests/Panels/Hepatic Function you are directed to 80076. Next, look for Creatinine/Blood directing you to 82565. Verify these codes. What is the code and any required modifier(s) for dipstick urinalysis, non-automated, without microscopy performed in a physician office for a Medicare patient? - correct answer 81002 RATIONALE: 81002 is for dipstick urinalysis. Modifier 26 is not needed in the physician office and QW is not required. Look in the CPT® Index for Urinalysis/Routine. A patient with deep vein thrombosis requires heparin to maintain therapeutic anticoagulation levels. He has regular PTT's drawn to monitor his level of anticoagulation. What code describes this testing? - correct answer 85730 RATIONALE: PTT stands for partial thromboplastin time. Look in the CPT® Index for PTT, you are directed to - See Thromboplastin, Partial Time directing you to . Checking the listing, 85730 Thromboplastin time, partial (PTT); plasma or whole blood is the correct code for this test. A 27-year-old male dies of a gunshot wound. An autopsy is performed to gain evidence for the police investigation and any subsequent trial. What code describes this service? - correct answer 88040 RATIONALE: Services related to legal investigations and trials are forensic examinations. Look in the CPT® Index for Autopsy/Forensic Exam you are directed to 88040. Read the code to verify this as the correct listing.