©EMILLECT 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024
OST-248 Diagnostic Coding - Chapter 5 – 7
Exam Study Guide Solutions
A three-digit code is to be used only if it is not further subdivided. - ANSWER✔✔-True
If the same condition is described as both acute and chronic and if separate subentries exist in the
Alphabetic Index at the same indentation level, code both, with the acute code first. - ANSWER✔✔-True
The Alphabetic Index provides the full code. - ANSWER✔✔-False
Each unique ICD-10-CM diagnosis code may be reported only once for an encounter. - ANSWER✔✔-True
A sequela (late effect) is the residual effect after the acute phase of an illness or injury has terminated. -
ANSWER✔✔-True
When the purpose for the admission/encounter is rehabilitation, sequence first the code for the
condition for which the service is being performed. - ANSWER✔✔-True
When the admission is for treatment of a complication resulting from surgery or other medical care, the
complication code is sequenced as the secondary diagnosis. - ANSWER✔✔-False
Page 1/16
, ©EMILLECT 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024
If the diagnosis documented at the time of discharge is qualified with such terms as "probable,"
"suspected," "likely," "questionable," "possible," "still to be ruled out," or other phrases indicating
uncertainty, code the condition as if it existed or is established. - ANSWER✔✔-True
When a patient is admitted to an observation unit for a medical condition, which either worsens or does
not improve, and is subsequently admitted as an inpatient of the same hospital for the same medical
condition, the principal diagnosis is the medical condition that led to the hospital admission. -
ANSWER✔✔-True
Codes for symptoms, signs, and ill-defined conditions from chapter 18 are not to be used as principal
diagnosis when a related definitive diagnosis has been established. - ANSWER✔✔-True
In the coding of secondary diagnoses, if the provider has included a diagnosis in the final diagnostic
statement, such as the discharge summary or the face sheet, that diagnosis should ordinarily be coded. -
ANSWER✔✔-True
Abnormal findings (laboratory, x-ray, pathologic, and other diagnostic results) are coded and reported. -
ANSWER✔✔-False
When a general medical examination results in an abnormal finding, the code for general medical
examination with abnormal finding should be assigned as the first listed diagnosis. - ANSWER✔✔-True
For patients receiving preoperative evaluations only, sequence first a code from subcategory Z01.81,
Encounter for pre-procedural examinations, to describe the preop consultations. - ANSWER✔✔-True
Page 2/16
, ©EMILLECT 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024
For ambulatory surgery, code the diagnosis for which the surgery was performed. - ANSWER✔✔-True
The ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting were developed by the American Health
Information Management Association. - ANSWER✔✔-False
For outpatient and physician office visits, the code that is listed first for coding and reporting purposes is
the reason for the encounter. - ANSWER✔✔-True
Codes that describe symptoms and signs are acceptable for coding when a definitive diagnosis has not
been established in a physician's office. - ANSWER✔✔-True
If signs and symptoms exist that are not routinely associated with a disease process, the signs and
symptoms should not be coded. - ANSWER✔✔-False
Sequela codes should be used only within six months after the initial injury or disease. - ANSWER✔✔-
False
The principal diagnosis is defined as "that condition established after study to be chiefly responsible for
occasioning the outpatient visit of the patient to the hospital for care." - ANSWER✔✔-False
If the diagnosis documented at the time of discharge is qualified as "probable" or "suspected," do not
code the condition. - ANSWER✔✔-False
Page 3/16
FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024
OST-248 Diagnostic Coding - Chapter 5 – 7
Exam Study Guide Solutions
A three-digit code is to be used only if it is not further subdivided. - ANSWER✔✔-True
If the same condition is described as both acute and chronic and if separate subentries exist in the
Alphabetic Index at the same indentation level, code both, with the acute code first. - ANSWER✔✔-True
The Alphabetic Index provides the full code. - ANSWER✔✔-False
Each unique ICD-10-CM diagnosis code may be reported only once for an encounter. - ANSWER✔✔-True
A sequela (late effect) is the residual effect after the acute phase of an illness or injury has terminated. -
ANSWER✔✔-True
When the purpose for the admission/encounter is rehabilitation, sequence first the code for the
condition for which the service is being performed. - ANSWER✔✔-True
When the admission is for treatment of a complication resulting from surgery or other medical care, the
complication code is sequenced as the secondary diagnosis. - ANSWER✔✔-False
Page 1/16
, ©EMILLECT 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024
If the diagnosis documented at the time of discharge is qualified with such terms as "probable,"
"suspected," "likely," "questionable," "possible," "still to be ruled out," or other phrases indicating
uncertainty, code the condition as if it existed or is established. - ANSWER✔✔-True
When a patient is admitted to an observation unit for a medical condition, which either worsens or does
not improve, and is subsequently admitted as an inpatient of the same hospital for the same medical
condition, the principal diagnosis is the medical condition that led to the hospital admission. -
ANSWER✔✔-True
Codes for symptoms, signs, and ill-defined conditions from chapter 18 are not to be used as principal
diagnosis when a related definitive diagnosis has been established. - ANSWER✔✔-True
In the coding of secondary diagnoses, if the provider has included a diagnosis in the final diagnostic
statement, such as the discharge summary or the face sheet, that diagnosis should ordinarily be coded. -
ANSWER✔✔-True
Abnormal findings (laboratory, x-ray, pathologic, and other diagnostic results) are coded and reported. -
ANSWER✔✔-False
When a general medical examination results in an abnormal finding, the code for general medical
examination with abnormal finding should be assigned as the first listed diagnosis. - ANSWER✔✔-True
For patients receiving preoperative evaluations only, sequence first a code from subcategory Z01.81,
Encounter for pre-procedural examinations, to describe the preop consultations. - ANSWER✔✔-True
Page 2/16
, ©EMILLECT 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024
For ambulatory surgery, code the diagnosis for which the surgery was performed. - ANSWER✔✔-True
The ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting were developed by the American Health
Information Management Association. - ANSWER✔✔-False
For outpatient and physician office visits, the code that is listed first for coding and reporting purposes is
the reason for the encounter. - ANSWER✔✔-True
Codes that describe symptoms and signs are acceptable for coding when a definitive diagnosis has not
been established in a physician's office. - ANSWER✔✔-True
If signs and symptoms exist that are not routinely associated with a disease process, the signs and
symptoms should not be coded. - ANSWER✔✔-False
Sequela codes should be used only within six months after the initial injury or disease. - ANSWER✔✔-
False
The principal diagnosis is defined as "that condition established after study to be chiefly responsible for
occasioning the outpatient visit of the patient to the hospital for care." - ANSWER✔✔-False
If the diagnosis documented at the time of discharge is qualified as "probable" or "suspected," do not
code the condition. - ANSWER✔✔-False
Page 3/16
