AAPC CPC Exam
AAPC CPC Exam Study Guide Questions and
Answers 2025 Graded A+
A 46-year-old female had a previous biopsy that indicated positive malignant margins
anteriorly on the right side of her neck. A 0.5 cm margin was drawn out and a 15 blade
scalpel was used for full excision of an 8 cm lesion. Layered closure was performed after
the removal. The specimen was sent for permanent histopathologic examination. What
are the CPT® code(s) for this procedure?
A. 11626
B. 11626, 12004-51
C. 11626, 12044-51
D. 11626, 13132-51, 13133 -Correct Answer ✔C. 11626, 12044-51
A 30-year-old female is having 15 sq cm debridement performed on an infected ulcer
with eschar on the right foot. Using sharp dissection, the ulcer was debrided all the way
to down to the bone of the foot. The bone had to be minimally trimmed because of a
sharp point at the end of the metatarsal. After debriding the area, there was minimal
bleeding because of very poor circulation of the foot. It seems that the toes next to the
ulcer may have some involvement and cultures were taken. The area was dressed with
sterile saline and dressings and then wrapped. What CPT® code should be reported?
A. 11043
B. 11012
C. 11044
D. 11042 -Correct Answer ✔C. 11044
A 64-year-old female who has multiple sclerosis fell from her walker and landed on a
glass table. She lacerated her forehead, cheek and chin and the total length of these
lacerations was 6 cm. Her right arm and left leg had deep cuts measuring 5 cm on each
extremity. Her right hand and right foot had a total of 3 cm lacerations. The ED physician
repaired the lacerations as follows: The forehead, cheek, and chin had debridement and
AAPC CPC Exam
,AAPC CPC Exam
cleaning of glass debris with the lacerations being closed with one layer closure, 6-0
Prolene sutures. The arm and leg were repaired by layered closure, 6-0 Vicryl
subcutaneous sutures and Prolene sutures on the skin. The hand and foot were closed
with adhesive strips. Select the appropriate procedure codes for this visit.
A. 99283-25, 12014, 12034-59, 12002-59, 11042-51
B. 99283-25, 12053, 12034-59, 12002-59
C. 99283-25, 12014, 12034-59, 11042-51
D. 99283-25, 12053, 12034-59 -Correct Answer ✔D. 99283-25, 12053, 12034-59
A 52-year-old female has a mass growing on her right flank for several years. It has finally
gotten significantly larger and is beginning to bother her. She is brought to the Operating
Room for definitive excision. An incision was made directly overlying the mass. The mass
was down into the subcutaneous tissue and the surgeon encountered a well
encapsulated lipoma approximately 4 centimeters. This was excised primarily bluntly
with a few attachments divided with electrocautery. What CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes
are reported?
A. 21932, D17.39
B. 21935, D17.1
C. 21931, D17.1
D. 21925, D17.9 -Correct Answer ✔C. 21931, D17.1
Question 5
PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Right scaphoid fracture. TYPE OF PROCEDURE: Open
reduction and internal fixation of right scaphoid fracture. DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE:
The patient was brought to the operating room; anesthesia having been administered.
The right upper extremity was prepped and draped in a sterile manner. The limb was
elevated, exsanguinated, and a pneumatic arm tourniquet was elevated. An incision was
made over the dorsal radial aspect of the right wrist. Skin flaps were elevated.
Cutaneous nerve branches were identified and very gently retracted. The interval
between the second and third dorsal compartment tendons was identified and entered.
The respective tendons were retracted. A dorsal capsulotomy incision was made, and
AAPC CPC Exam
,AAPC CPC Exam
the fracture was visualized. There did not appear to be any type of significant defect at
the fracture site. A 0.045 Kirschner wire was then used as a guidewire, extending from t -
Correct Answer ✔A. 25628-RT
An infant with genu valgum is brought to the operating room to have a bilateral medial
distal femur hemiepiphysiodesis done. On each knee, the C-arm was used to localize the
growth plate. With the growth plate localized, an incision was made medially on both
sides. This was taken down to the fascia, which was opened. The periosteum was not
opened. The Orthofix® figure-of-eight plate was placed and checked with X-ray. We then
irrigated and closed the medial fascia with 0 Vicryl suture. The skin was closed with 2-0
Vicryl and 3-0 Monocryl®. What procedure code is reported?
A. 27470-50
B. 27475-50
C. 27477-50
D. 27485-50 -Correct Answer ✔D. 27485-50
The patient is a 67-year-old gentleman with metastatic colon cancer recently operated
on for a brain metastasis, now for placement of an Infuse-A-Port for continued
chemotherapy. The left subclavian vein was located with a needle and a guide wire
placed. This was confirmed to be in the proper position fluoroscopically. A transverse
incision was made just inferior to this and a subcutaneous pocket created just inferior to
this. After tunneling, the introducer was placed over the guide wire and the power port
line was placed with the introducer and the introducer was peeled away. The tip was
placed in the appropriate position under fluoroscopic guidance and the catheter
trimmed to the appropriate length and secured to the power port device. The locking
mechanism was fully engaged. The port was placed in the subcutaneous pocket and
everything sat very nicely fluoroscopically. It was secured to the underlying soft tissue -
Correct Answer ✔C. 36561, 77001-26
Question 8
A CT scan identified moderate-sized right pleural effusion in a 50 year-old male. This was
estimated to be 800 cc in size and had an appearance of fluid on the CT Scan. A needle is
AAPC CPC Exam
, AAPC CPC Exam
used to puncture through the chest tissues and enter the pleural cavity to insert a
guidewire under ultrasound guidance. A pigtail catheter is then inserted at the length of
the guidewire and secured by stitches. The catheter will remain in the chest and is
connected to drainage system to drain the accumulated fluid. The CPT® code is:
A. 32557
B. 32555
C. 32556
D. 32550 -Correct Answer ✔A. 32557
The patient is a 59-year-old white male who underwent carotid endarterectomy for
symptomatic left carotid stenosis a year ago. A carotid CT angiogram showed a recurrent
90% left internal carotid artery stenosis extending into the common carotid artery. He is
taken to the operating room for re-do left carotid endarterectomy. The left neck was
prepped and the previous incision was carefully reopened. Using sharp dissection, the
common carotid artery and its branches were dissected free. The patient was
systematically heparinized and after a few minutes, clamps were applied to the common
carotid artery and its branches. A longitudinal arteriotomy was carried out with findings
of extensive layering of intimal hyperplasia with no evidence of recurrent
atherosclerosis. A silastic balloon-tip shunt was inserted first proximally and then distally,
with restoration of flow. Several layers of intima were removed and the endart -Correct
Answer ✔B. 35301, 35390
A 52-year-old patient is admitted to the hospital for chronic cholecystitis for which a
laparoscopic cholecystectomy will be performed. A transverse infraumbilical incision was
made sharply dissecting to the subcutaneous tissue down to the fascia using access
under direct vision with a Vesi-Port and a scope was placed into the abdomen. Three
other ports were inserted under direct vision. The fundus of the gallbladder was grasped
through the lateral port, where multiple adhesions to the gallbladder were taken down
sharply and bluntly: The gallbladder appeared chronically inflamed. Dissection was
carried out to the right of this identifying a small cystic duct and artery, was clipped
twice proximally, once distally and transected. The gallbladder was then taken down
from the bed using electrocautery, delivering it into an endo-bag and removing it from
AAPC CPC Exam
AAPC CPC Exam Study Guide Questions and
Answers 2025 Graded A+
A 46-year-old female had a previous biopsy that indicated positive malignant margins
anteriorly on the right side of her neck. A 0.5 cm margin was drawn out and a 15 blade
scalpel was used for full excision of an 8 cm lesion. Layered closure was performed after
the removal. The specimen was sent for permanent histopathologic examination. What
are the CPT® code(s) for this procedure?
A. 11626
B. 11626, 12004-51
C. 11626, 12044-51
D. 11626, 13132-51, 13133 -Correct Answer ✔C. 11626, 12044-51
A 30-year-old female is having 15 sq cm debridement performed on an infected ulcer
with eschar on the right foot. Using sharp dissection, the ulcer was debrided all the way
to down to the bone of the foot. The bone had to be minimally trimmed because of a
sharp point at the end of the metatarsal. After debriding the area, there was minimal
bleeding because of very poor circulation of the foot. It seems that the toes next to the
ulcer may have some involvement and cultures were taken. The area was dressed with
sterile saline and dressings and then wrapped. What CPT® code should be reported?
A. 11043
B. 11012
C. 11044
D. 11042 -Correct Answer ✔C. 11044
A 64-year-old female who has multiple sclerosis fell from her walker and landed on a
glass table. She lacerated her forehead, cheek and chin and the total length of these
lacerations was 6 cm. Her right arm and left leg had deep cuts measuring 5 cm on each
extremity. Her right hand and right foot had a total of 3 cm lacerations. The ED physician
repaired the lacerations as follows: The forehead, cheek, and chin had debridement and
AAPC CPC Exam
,AAPC CPC Exam
cleaning of glass debris with the lacerations being closed with one layer closure, 6-0
Prolene sutures. The arm and leg were repaired by layered closure, 6-0 Vicryl
subcutaneous sutures and Prolene sutures on the skin. The hand and foot were closed
with adhesive strips. Select the appropriate procedure codes for this visit.
A. 99283-25, 12014, 12034-59, 12002-59, 11042-51
B. 99283-25, 12053, 12034-59, 12002-59
C. 99283-25, 12014, 12034-59, 11042-51
D. 99283-25, 12053, 12034-59 -Correct Answer ✔D. 99283-25, 12053, 12034-59
A 52-year-old female has a mass growing on her right flank for several years. It has finally
gotten significantly larger and is beginning to bother her. She is brought to the Operating
Room for definitive excision. An incision was made directly overlying the mass. The mass
was down into the subcutaneous tissue and the surgeon encountered a well
encapsulated lipoma approximately 4 centimeters. This was excised primarily bluntly
with a few attachments divided with electrocautery. What CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes
are reported?
A. 21932, D17.39
B. 21935, D17.1
C. 21931, D17.1
D. 21925, D17.9 -Correct Answer ✔C. 21931, D17.1
Question 5
PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Right scaphoid fracture. TYPE OF PROCEDURE: Open
reduction and internal fixation of right scaphoid fracture. DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE:
The patient was brought to the operating room; anesthesia having been administered.
The right upper extremity was prepped and draped in a sterile manner. The limb was
elevated, exsanguinated, and a pneumatic arm tourniquet was elevated. An incision was
made over the dorsal radial aspect of the right wrist. Skin flaps were elevated.
Cutaneous nerve branches were identified and very gently retracted. The interval
between the second and third dorsal compartment tendons was identified and entered.
The respective tendons were retracted. A dorsal capsulotomy incision was made, and
AAPC CPC Exam
,AAPC CPC Exam
the fracture was visualized. There did not appear to be any type of significant defect at
the fracture site. A 0.045 Kirschner wire was then used as a guidewire, extending from t -
Correct Answer ✔A. 25628-RT
An infant with genu valgum is brought to the operating room to have a bilateral medial
distal femur hemiepiphysiodesis done. On each knee, the C-arm was used to localize the
growth plate. With the growth plate localized, an incision was made medially on both
sides. This was taken down to the fascia, which was opened. The periosteum was not
opened. The Orthofix® figure-of-eight plate was placed and checked with X-ray. We then
irrigated and closed the medial fascia with 0 Vicryl suture. The skin was closed with 2-0
Vicryl and 3-0 Monocryl®. What procedure code is reported?
A. 27470-50
B. 27475-50
C. 27477-50
D. 27485-50 -Correct Answer ✔D. 27485-50
The patient is a 67-year-old gentleman with metastatic colon cancer recently operated
on for a brain metastasis, now for placement of an Infuse-A-Port for continued
chemotherapy. The left subclavian vein was located with a needle and a guide wire
placed. This was confirmed to be in the proper position fluoroscopically. A transverse
incision was made just inferior to this and a subcutaneous pocket created just inferior to
this. After tunneling, the introducer was placed over the guide wire and the power port
line was placed with the introducer and the introducer was peeled away. The tip was
placed in the appropriate position under fluoroscopic guidance and the catheter
trimmed to the appropriate length and secured to the power port device. The locking
mechanism was fully engaged. The port was placed in the subcutaneous pocket and
everything sat very nicely fluoroscopically. It was secured to the underlying soft tissue -
Correct Answer ✔C. 36561, 77001-26
Question 8
A CT scan identified moderate-sized right pleural effusion in a 50 year-old male. This was
estimated to be 800 cc in size and had an appearance of fluid on the CT Scan. A needle is
AAPC CPC Exam
, AAPC CPC Exam
used to puncture through the chest tissues and enter the pleural cavity to insert a
guidewire under ultrasound guidance. A pigtail catheter is then inserted at the length of
the guidewire and secured by stitches. The catheter will remain in the chest and is
connected to drainage system to drain the accumulated fluid. The CPT® code is:
A. 32557
B. 32555
C. 32556
D. 32550 -Correct Answer ✔A. 32557
The patient is a 59-year-old white male who underwent carotid endarterectomy for
symptomatic left carotid stenosis a year ago. A carotid CT angiogram showed a recurrent
90% left internal carotid artery stenosis extending into the common carotid artery. He is
taken to the operating room for re-do left carotid endarterectomy. The left neck was
prepped and the previous incision was carefully reopened. Using sharp dissection, the
common carotid artery and its branches were dissected free. The patient was
systematically heparinized and after a few minutes, clamps were applied to the common
carotid artery and its branches. A longitudinal arteriotomy was carried out with findings
of extensive layering of intimal hyperplasia with no evidence of recurrent
atherosclerosis. A silastic balloon-tip shunt was inserted first proximally and then distally,
with restoration of flow. Several layers of intima were removed and the endart -Correct
Answer ✔B. 35301, 35390
A 52-year-old patient is admitted to the hospital for chronic cholecystitis for which a
laparoscopic cholecystectomy will be performed. A transverse infraumbilical incision was
made sharply dissecting to the subcutaneous tissue down to the fascia using access
under direct vision with a Vesi-Port and a scope was placed into the abdomen. Three
other ports were inserted under direct vision. The fundus of the gallbladder was grasped
through the lateral port, where multiple adhesions to the gallbladder were taken down
sharply and bluntly: The gallbladder appeared chronically inflamed. Dissection was
carried out to the right of this identifying a small cystic duct and artery, was clipped
twice proximally, once distally and transected. The gallbladder was then taken down
from the bed using electrocautery, delivering it into an endo-bag and removing it from
AAPC CPC Exam
