ICD-10-CM Official Coding Guidelines Questions
and Verified Answers
1. Locating a code in the ICD-10-CM Correct Answer: To select a code in the classification that
corresponds to a diagnosis or reason for visit documented in a medical record, first located the term in
the Index, and then verify the code in the Tabular List. Read and be guided by instructional notations
that appear in both the Index and the Tabular List.
It is essential to use both the Index and Tabular List when locating and assigning a code. The Index does
not always provide the full code, including laterality and applicable 7th can only be done in the Tabular
list. A dash (-) at the end of an Index entry indicate that additional characters are required. Even if a
dash is not included at the Index entry, it is necessary to refer to the Tabular list to verify that no 7th
character is required.
2. Levels of Detail in Coding Correct Answer: Diagnosis codes are to be used and reported at their highest
number of digits available.
ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are composed of codes with 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 digits. Codes with three digits are
included in ICD-10-CM as the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use
of fourth and/or fifth digits, which provide greater detail.
A three-digit code is to be used only if it is not further subdivided. A code is invalid if it has not be coded
to the full number of characters required for that code, including the 7th character, if applicable.
3. Code or codes from A00.0 through T88.9, Z00-Z99. Correct Answer: The appropriate code or codes
from A00.0 through T88.9, Z00-Z99.8 must be used to identify diagnoses, symptoms, conditions,
problems, complaints or other reason(s) for the encounter/visit.
4. Signs and Symptoms Correct Answer: Codes that describe symptoms and signs as opposed to diagnoses,
are acceptable for reporting purposes when a related definitive diagnosis has not ben established
(confirmed) by the provider. Chapter 18 of ICD-10-CM, Symptoms, Signs, and Abnormal Clinical and
Laboratory Findings, Not Elsewhere Classified (codes R00.0-R99) contains many, but not all codes for
symptoms.
5. Conditions that are an integral part of a disease process Correct Answer: Signs and symptoms that are
associated routinely with a disease process should not be assigned as additional codes, unless otherwise
instructed by the classification.
6. Conditions that are not an integral part of a disease process Correct Answer: Additional signs and
symptoms that may not be associated routinely with a disease process should be coded when present.
, 7. Multiple coding for a single condition Correct Answer: In addition to the etiology/manifestation
convention that requires two codes to fully describe a single condition that affects multiple body
systems, there are other single conditions that also require more than one code. "Use additional code"
notes are found in the Tabular at codes that are not part of an etiology/manifestation pair, where a
secondary code is useful to fully describe a condition. The sequencing rule is the same as the
etiology/manifestation pair, "use additional code" indicates that a secondary code should be added.
For example, for bacterial infections that are not included in chapter 1, a secondary code from category
B95, Streptococcus, and Enterococcus, as the cause of disease classified elsewhere, or B96, Other bacterial
agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere, may be required to identify the bacterial organism
causing the infection. A "use additional code" note will normally be found at the infectious disease code,
indicating a need for the organism code to be added as a secondary code.
"Code first" notes are also under certain codes that are not specifically manifestation codes but may be
due to an underlying cause. When there is a "code first" note and an underlying condition present, the
underlying condition should be sequenced first.
"Code, if applicable, any casual condition first", notes indicate that this code may be assigned as a
principal diagnosis when the casual condition is unknown or not applicable. If a casual condition is
known, then the code for that condition should be sequenced as the principal or first-listed diagnosis.
Multiple codes may be needed for late effects, complication codes and obstetric codes to more fully
describe a condition. See the specific guidelines for those conditions for further instruction.
8. Acute and Chronic Conditions Correct Answer: If the same condition is described as both acute
(subacute) and chronic, and separate subentries exist in the Alphabetic Index at the same indentation
level, code both and sequence the acute (subacute) code first.
9. Combination Code Correct Answer: Combination code is a single code used to classify:
Two diagnoses, or
A diagnosis with an associated secondary process (manifestation)
A diagnosis with an associated complication
Combination codes are identified by referring to subterm entries in the Alphabetic Index and by reading
the inclusion and exclusion note in the Tabular List.
Assign only the combination code when that code fully identifies the diagnostic conditions involved or
when the Alphabetic Index so directs. Multiple coding should not be used when the classification
provides a combination code that clearly identifies all of the elements documented in the diagnosis.
and Verified Answers
1. Locating a code in the ICD-10-CM Correct Answer: To select a code in the classification that
corresponds to a diagnosis or reason for visit documented in a medical record, first located the term in
the Index, and then verify the code in the Tabular List. Read and be guided by instructional notations
that appear in both the Index and the Tabular List.
It is essential to use both the Index and Tabular List when locating and assigning a code. The Index does
not always provide the full code, including laterality and applicable 7th can only be done in the Tabular
list. A dash (-) at the end of an Index entry indicate that additional characters are required. Even if a
dash is not included at the Index entry, it is necessary to refer to the Tabular list to verify that no 7th
character is required.
2. Levels of Detail in Coding Correct Answer: Diagnosis codes are to be used and reported at their highest
number of digits available.
ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are composed of codes with 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 digits. Codes with three digits are
included in ICD-10-CM as the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use
of fourth and/or fifth digits, which provide greater detail.
A three-digit code is to be used only if it is not further subdivided. A code is invalid if it has not be coded
to the full number of characters required for that code, including the 7th character, if applicable.
3. Code or codes from A00.0 through T88.9, Z00-Z99. Correct Answer: The appropriate code or codes
from A00.0 through T88.9, Z00-Z99.8 must be used to identify diagnoses, symptoms, conditions,
problems, complaints or other reason(s) for the encounter/visit.
4. Signs and Symptoms Correct Answer: Codes that describe symptoms and signs as opposed to diagnoses,
are acceptable for reporting purposes when a related definitive diagnosis has not ben established
(confirmed) by the provider. Chapter 18 of ICD-10-CM, Symptoms, Signs, and Abnormal Clinical and
Laboratory Findings, Not Elsewhere Classified (codes R00.0-R99) contains many, but not all codes for
symptoms.
5. Conditions that are an integral part of a disease process Correct Answer: Signs and symptoms that are
associated routinely with a disease process should not be assigned as additional codes, unless otherwise
instructed by the classification.
6. Conditions that are not an integral part of a disease process Correct Answer: Additional signs and
symptoms that may not be associated routinely with a disease process should be coded when present.
, 7. Multiple coding for a single condition Correct Answer: In addition to the etiology/manifestation
convention that requires two codes to fully describe a single condition that affects multiple body
systems, there are other single conditions that also require more than one code. "Use additional code"
notes are found in the Tabular at codes that are not part of an etiology/manifestation pair, where a
secondary code is useful to fully describe a condition. The sequencing rule is the same as the
etiology/manifestation pair, "use additional code" indicates that a secondary code should be added.
For example, for bacterial infections that are not included in chapter 1, a secondary code from category
B95, Streptococcus, and Enterococcus, as the cause of disease classified elsewhere, or B96, Other bacterial
agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere, may be required to identify the bacterial organism
causing the infection. A "use additional code" note will normally be found at the infectious disease code,
indicating a need for the organism code to be added as a secondary code.
"Code first" notes are also under certain codes that are not specifically manifestation codes but may be
due to an underlying cause. When there is a "code first" note and an underlying condition present, the
underlying condition should be sequenced first.
"Code, if applicable, any casual condition first", notes indicate that this code may be assigned as a
principal diagnosis when the casual condition is unknown or not applicable. If a casual condition is
known, then the code for that condition should be sequenced as the principal or first-listed diagnosis.
Multiple codes may be needed for late effects, complication codes and obstetric codes to more fully
describe a condition. See the specific guidelines for those conditions for further instruction.
8. Acute and Chronic Conditions Correct Answer: If the same condition is described as both acute
(subacute) and chronic, and separate subentries exist in the Alphabetic Index at the same indentation
level, code both and sequence the acute (subacute) code first.
9. Combination Code Correct Answer: Combination code is a single code used to classify:
Two diagnoses, or
A diagnosis with an associated secondary process (manifestation)
A diagnosis with an associated complication
Combination codes are identified by referring to subterm entries in the Alphabetic Index and by reading
the inclusion and exclusion note in the Tabular List.
Assign only the combination code when that code fully identifies the diagnostic conditions involved or
when the Alphabetic Index so directs. Multiple coding should not be used when the classification
provides a combination code that clearly identifies all of the elements documented in the diagnosis.
