CAISS Extremities and Pelvic Girdle
Exam Questions and Answers Graded A+
How do you code GSW with missile lodged in the bone? - Correct answer-As an
Open Fx (Clarification document)
How do you code bony fractures that are the result of a GSW? - Correct answer-
Open Fx
How do you code bone contusions? - Correct answer-They are not codeable
What are some anatomical landmarks for amputation of the upper extremity? -
Correct answer-1. Between shoulder and hand NFS [does not apply to hands,
thumbs, fingers]
2. At the shoulder
3. at or above elbow but below shoulder
4. below elbow at or above wrist
5. hand - partial or complete
6. thumb
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,7. other fingers - single or multiple.
When can you code compartment syndrome in the upper extremity? - Correct
answer-Compartment syndrome from trauma to soft tissue only w/o FX,
destruction of bone or other structures (i.e.., you can use this category only if no
specific injuries to the upper extremity are documented)
What does crush injury involve? - Correct answer-Massive destruction of skeletal
vascular nervous and tissue systems
Where are degloving injuries to the upper extremity assigned to - Correct answer-
External
What are considerations for assigning PENETRATING injury codes? - Correct
answer-Use this if penetrating injury does not involve bone or internal structures;
there are specific codes for tissue loss > 25 cm²; there are codes for blood loss >
20% for penetrating injuries at the shoulder or at or above the elbow, below the
shoulder.
Describe a major laceration to the upper extremity - Correct answer-It is more than
10 cm long on the hand or greater than 20 cm long on the entire extremity and into
the subcutaneous tissue
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, What is the difference between a minor and major avulsion on the upper
extremity? - Correct answer-A minor or superficial is </= to 25 cm² on the hand or
</= 100 cm² on the entire extremity. A major avulsion is tissue loss > 25 cm on the
hand or > 100 cm² on the entire extremity
What are considerations for coding a vessel injury in the upper extremity? -
Correct answer-Do not code them separately when they are directly involved in
crush type injuries or amputation unless a vascular injury is higher in severity than
the crush or amputation injury. Branches of vessels are not coded unless they are
named vessels and or listed within a specific vessel descriptor.
True or false. A vascular injury in upper extremity not further specified has a
severity of 9"" - Correct answer-TRUE
Name vessels specifically listed in the upper extremity chapter - Correct answer-1.
Axillary artery, axillary vein,
2. Brachial artery, brachial vein,
3. Other named arteries such as Radial or ulnar
4. Other named veins such as cephalic or basilic.
True or false. In the vessel section, laceration, perforation or puncture are coded
the same - Correct answer-TRUE
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Exam Questions and Answers Graded A+
How do you code GSW with missile lodged in the bone? - Correct answer-As an
Open Fx (Clarification document)
How do you code bony fractures that are the result of a GSW? - Correct answer-
Open Fx
How do you code bone contusions? - Correct answer-They are not codeable
What are some anatomical landmarks for amputation of the upper extremity? -
Correct answer-1. Between shoulder and hand NFS [does not apply to hands,
thumbs, fingers]
2. At the shoulder
3. at or above elbow but below shoulder
4. below elbow at or above wrist
5. hand - partial or complete
6. thumb
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,7. other fingers - single or multiple.
When can you code compartment syndrome in the upper extremity? - Correct
answer-Compartment syndrome from trauma to soft tissue only w/o FX,
destruction of bone or other structures (i.e.., you can use this category only if no
specific injuries to the upper extremity are documented)
What does crush injury involve? - Correct answer-Massive destruction of skeletal
vascular nervous and tissue systems
Where are degloving injuries to the upper extremity assigned to - Correct answer-
External
What are considerations for assigning PENETRATING injury codes? - Correct
answer-Use this if penetrating injury does not involve bone or internal structures;
there are specific codes for tissue loss > 25 cm²; there are codes for blood loss >
20% for penetrating injuries at the shoulder or at or above the elbow, below the
shoulder.
Describe a major laceration to the upper extremity - Correct answer-It is more than
10 cm long on the hand or greater than 20 cm long on the entire extremity and into
the subcutaneous tissue
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, What is the difference between a minor and major avulsion on the upper
extremity? - Correct answer-A minor or superficial is </= to 25 cm² on the hand or
</= 100 cm² on the entire extremity. A major avulsion is tissue loss > 25 cm on the
hand or > 100 cm² on the entire extremity
What are considerations for coding a vessel injury in the upper extremity? -
Correct answer-Do not code them separately when they are directly involved in
crush type injuries or amputation unless a vascular injury is higher in severity than
the crush or amputation injury. Branches of vessels are not coded unless they are
named vessels and or listed within a specific vessel descriptor.
True or false. A vascular injury in upper extremity not further specified has a
severity of 9"" - Correct answer-TRUE
Name vessels specifically listed in the upper extremity chapter - Correct answer-1.
Axillary artery, axillary vein,
2. Brachial artery, brachial vein,
3. Other named arteries such as Radial or ulnar
4. Other named veins such as cephalic or basilic.
True or false. In the vessel section, laceration, perforation or puncture are coded
the same - Correct answer-TRUE
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
