Medical Coding Exam 4 (70+ Q&A) – ICD-10-PCS, Root Operations, Body Systems, Approaches | 2025/2026

This detailed exam preparation document includes over 70 professionally structured and correctly answered questions for Medical Coding Exam 4, aligned with the ICD-10-PCS system and updated for the 2025/2026 academic cycle. It is ideal for learners in medical coding programs who need to master procedure coding structures, surgical terminology, and classification logic for accurate healthcare billing. Key areas covered include: ICD-10-PCS code structure: 7-character format, placeholders, root operations, section/body system/body part identifiers, qualifiers, and approaches Root operations: Definitions and coding examples for excision, resection, insertion, removal, revision, reattachment, detachment, alteration, and mapping Code logic and position function: Understanding each character’s role (e.g., 1st = section, 3rd = root operation, 4th = body part, 7th = qualifier) Body systems and parts: From optic disc and sweat glands to GI tract, mouth/throat, and musculoskeletal coding nuances Surgical coding scenarios: Determining principal procedures, sequencing rules, and common body part substitutions Coding rules and regulations: Placeholder usage ("Z"), proper use of CPT/PCS modifiers, and Medicare/Medicaid implications (e.g., HCPCS Level I & II distinctions) Specialty knowledge: OB procedure codes, mapping procedures (e.g., cardiac or brain), and uncommon coding cases like humeral head definition or gastrointestinal exclusions This resource is ideal for: Medical Coding students (CPC, CCS, or ICD-10-PCS focused) Health Information Management (HIM) learners Billing and coding professionals preparing for certification or recertification exams Nursing or healthcare admin students needing practical coding experience Presented in a rapid Q&A format, it supports memorization, code application logic, and deep understanding of how to navigate ICD-10-PCS in clinical settings. Keywords: ICD-10-PCS, root operations, medical coding exam, procedure coding, CPT, HCPCS, body system codes, surgical coding, coding qualifiers, code sequencing, coding modifiers, Z code placeholder, excision vs. resection, mapping, OB coding, coder certification prep, HIM, procedure classification