Correct Answers – Over 200 Questions
from Recent Tests
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
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
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
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 - 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 the abdominal cavity with
the umbilical port. What CPT® and ICD-10-C
Correct Answer 47562, K81.1
A 70-year-old female who has a history of symptomatic ventral hernia was advised to
undergo laparoscopic evaluation and repair. An incision was made in the epigastrium and
dissection was carried down through the subcutaneous tissue. Two 5-mm trocars were
placed, one in the left upper quadrant and one in the left lower quadrant and the laparoscope
was inserted. Dissection was carried down to the area of the hernia where a small defect was
clearly visualized. There was some omentum, which was adhered to the hernia and this was
delivered back into the peritoneal cavity. The mesh was tacked on to cover the defect. What
procedure code(s) is (are) reported?
A. 49560, 49568
B. 49652
C. 49653
D. 49652, 49568
Correct Answer B. 49652
The patient is a 50-year-old gentleman who presented to the emergency room with signs and
symptoms of acute appendicitis with possible rupture. He has been brought to the operating
room. An infraumbilical incision was made which a 5-mm VersaStep™ trocar was inserted. A
5-mm 0- degree laparoscope was introduced. A second 5-mm trocar was placed
,suprapubically and a 12-mm trocar in the left lower quadrant. A window was made in the
mesoappendix using blunt dissection with no rupture noted. The base of the appendix was
then divided and placed into an Endo-catch bag and the 12-mm defect was brought out.
Select the appropriate code for this procedure:
A. 44970
B. 44950
C. 44960
D. 44979 - Correct Answer A. 44970
A 45-year-old male is going to donate his kidney to his son. Operating ports where placed in
standard position and the scope was inserted. Dissection of the renal artery and vein was
performed isolating the kidney. The kidney was suspended only by the renal artery and vein
as well as the ureter. A stapler was used to divide the vein just above the aorta and three
clips across the ureter, extracting the kidney. This was placed on ice and sent to the recipient
room. The correct CPT® code is:
A. 50543
B. 50547
C. 50300
D. 50320 - Correct Answer B. 50547
A 67-year-old female having urinary incontinence with intrinsic sphincter deficiency is having
a cystoscopy performed with a placement of a sling. An incision was made over the mid
urethra dissected laterally to urethropelvic ligament. Cystoscopy revealed no penetration of
the bladder. The edges of the sling were weaved around the junction of the urethra and
brought up to the suprapubic incision. A hemostat was then placed between the sling and
the urethra, ensuring no tension. What CPT® code(s) is (are) reported?
A. 57288
B. 57287
C. 57288, 52000-51
D. 51992, 52000-51 - Correct Answer A. 57288
A 16-day-old male baby is in the OR for a repeat circumcision due to redundant foreskin that
caused circumferential scarring from the original circumcision. Anesthetic was injected and
an incision was made at base of the foreskin. Foreskin was pulled back and the excess
foreskin was taken off and the two raw skin surfaces were sutured together to create a
circumferential anastomosis. Select the appropriate code for this surgery:
A. 54150
B. 54160
C. 54163
D. 54164 - Correct Answer C. 54163
, 5 year-old female has a history of post void dribbling. She was found to have extensive labial
adhesions, which have been unresponsive to topical medical management. She is brought to
the operating suite in a supine position. Under general anesthesia the labia majora is
retracted and the granulating chronic adhesions were incised midline both anteriorly and
posteriorly. The adherent granulation tissue was excised on either side. What code should be
used for this procedure?
A. 58660
B. 58740
C. 57061
D. 56441 - Correct Answer D. 56441
The patient is a 64 year-old female who is undergoing a removal of a previously implanted
Medtronic pain pump and catheter due to a possible infection. The back was incised;
dissection was carried down to the previously placed catheter. There was evidence of
infection with some fat necrosis in which cultures were taken. The intrathecal portion of the
catheter was removed. Next the pump pocket was incised and the pump was dissected from
the anterior fascia. A 7-mm Blake drain was placed in the pump pocket through a stab
incision and secured to the skin with interrupted Prolene. The pump pocket was copiously
irrigated with saline and closed in two layers. What are the CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes for
this procedure?
A. 62365, 62350-51, T85.898A, Z46.2
B. 62360, 62355-51, T85.79XA
C. 62365, 62355-51, T85.79XA
D. 36590, I97.42, T85.898A - Correct Answer C. 62365, 62355-51, T85.79XA
The patient is a 73 year-old gentleman who was noted to have progressive gait instability
over the past several months. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a
ventriculomegaly. It was recommended that the patient proceed forward with right frontal
ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement with Codman® programmable valve. What is the
correct code for this surgery?
A. 62220
B. 62223
C. 62190
D. 62192 - Correct Answer B. 62223
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