Page 1 of 63
“CCDS PRACTICE EXAM 2026 ”LATEST EXAM
2026 – 2027 SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
VERIFIED 100% GRADED A+ (LATEST VERSION)
WELL REVISED 100% GUARANTEE PASS
CCDS Practice Exam
A pt with a h/o metastatic lung cancer is directly admitted from the doctor's
office with a dx of anemia 2nd chemotherapy. The pt receives 2 units of PRBCs
and is d/c. What is the most appropriate Pdx?
A. Respiratory neoplasm
B. Anemia 2nd chemo
C. Admission for chemo
D. Admission for blood transfusion
B. Anemia 2nd chemo
Rationale: Per guidelines, when the admission/encounter is for management of an
anemia associated w/ the malignancy and the treatment is only for the anemia, the
appropriate code for the malignancy is sequenced as the principal or 1st listed dx
followed by the appropriate code for the anemia, such as code D63.0, Anemia in
neoplastic disease.
A pt with a h/o COPD, CHF, Afib is admitted from the ED w/ rectal bleeding 2nd
Coumadin toxicity. The physician documents that the pt had a recent increase
in Coumadin dosage d/t low PT/PTT. What is the most appropriate Pdx?
, Page 2 of 63
A. GI hemorrhage
B. Coumadin toxicity
C. COPD
D. CHF
A. GI hemorrhage
Rationale: Per guidelines, when coding an adverse effect of a drug that has been
correctly prescribed and properly administered, assign the appropriate code for the
nature of the adverse effect followed by the appropriate code for the adverse effect
of the drug (T36-T50). The code for the drug should have a 5th or 6th character.
Examples of the nature of an adverse effect are tachycardia, delirium, GI
hemorrhage, vomiting, hypokalemia, hepatitis, renal failure or respiratory failure. The
documentation does not indicate any inconsistency with the prescribed usage of
Coumadin; therefore, the adverse effect becomes the Pdx.
A pt comes to the ED w/ fevers, chills, and knee pain. Documentation states
that the pt's admission is for knee prosthesis removal due to infection. What is
the Pdx?
A. Fever
B. Sepsis
C. Infected knee prosthesis
D. Knee pain
C. Infected knee prosthesis
Rationale: Per guidelines, codes that describe s/s, as opposed to diagnoses, are
acceptable for reporting purposes when a related definitive dx has not been
established (confirmed) by the provider. In this example, sepsis is neither
documented nor supported by appropriate clinical indicators. And while the
documentation does include "fever, chills, and knee pain" the underlying cause is the
infected prosthesis. When a more definitive dx is available and treatment for that dx
is provided, the more specific code should be used. CDI may seek to find out
additional info on the underlying cause of the infection as well as to determine if any
complications of care exist. See Section I.B.16.
A pt is admitted w/ pain in a lower extremity. The physician documents
cellulitis d/t septic joint. X-ray indicates possible osteomyelitis. What is the
, Page 3 of 63
Pdx?
A. Pain
B. Cellulitis
C. Osteomyelitis
D. Septic joint
D. Septic joint
Rationale: Documentation by the provider clearly indicates a septic joint. Only the x-
ray identifies possible osteomyelitis. A radiologist is not considered a treating
provider of care, and therefore the osteomyelitis cannot be coded. A query would be
necessary to ensure this documentation is generated as appropriate.
Which of the following represents correct guidance for assigning a Pdx?
A. Probable/possible conditions should always be assigned over a symptoms
diagnosis
B. The most severe condition should always be coded as principal
C. The coder can link the symptoms to the most appropriate condition
D. A s/s code should only be used if no definitive dx is determined
D. A s/s code should only be used if no definitive dx is determined.
Rationale: Per guidelines, "codes that describe s/s, as opposed to diagnoses, are
acceptable for reporting purposes when a related definitive dx has not been
established (confirmed) by the provider".
A pt is admitted with HTN heart failure and CKD. Appropriate code assignment
would:
A. Identify individual codes for each condition
B. Identify the most appropriate combo code
C. Require a query for a link between the conditions
D. Use a combo code w/ the individual codes listed as secondary
B. Identify most appropriate combo code
Rationale: Combo code is a single code used to classify 2 diagnoses, a diagnosis w/
an associated 2nd process (manifestation), or a dx w/ an associated complication.
Assign only the combo code when that code fully identifies the dx conditions involved
, Page 4 of 63
or when Index so directs. Multiple coding should not be used when the classification
provides a combo code that clearly identifies all of the elements documented in the
dx. When the combo code lacks necessary specificity in describing the manifestation
or complication, an additional code should be used as a secondary code.
Pt is admitted w/ an acute MI, acute respiratory failure, and a h/o of type 2 MI
two years previously. Appropriate sequencing of the conditions would be
based on:
A. Coding guidelines stating that if 2 conditions meet the criteria for Pdx, the
1st dx documented is sequenced 1st and the 2nd condition documented is
sequenced 2nd
B. Coding convention instruction to "code first" the etiology
C. The understanding that the condition requiring the most resource
consumption would be the Pdx
D. Coding guidelines stating that if 2 or more dx equally meet the definition for
Pdx based on circumstances of admit, Alphabetic Index, and Tabular List,
either dx may be sequenced first
D. Coding guidelines stating that if 2 or more dx equally meet the definition for Pdx
based on circumstances of admit, Alphabetic Index, and Tabular List, either dx may
be sequenced first
Rationale: Selection of Pdx will be based on circumstances of the admission. If both
respiratory failure and other acute condition are equally responsible for occasioning
the admission to the hospital and there are no chapter-specific sequencing rules,
either may be sequenced 1st.
Which of the following is true regarding the coding and reporting of HIV?
A. ICD-10 code B20 should be sequenced as Pdx in all cases
B. HIV status must be confirmed by a blood test
C. ICD-10 code B20, if sequenced as 2nd dx, qualifies as MCC
D. Coding depends on reason for admission
D. Coding depends on reason for admission
Rationale: (a) Pt admitted for HIV-related condition...Pdx should be B20 followed by
additional dx codes for all reported HIV-related conditions (b) Pt w/ HIV admitted for
unrelated condition...the code for the unrelated condition should be Pdx
“CCDS PRACTICE EXAM 2026 ”LATEST EXAM
2026 – 2027 SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
VERIFIED 100% GRADED A+ (LATEST VERSION)
WELL REVISED 100% GUARANTEE PASS
CCDS Practice Exam
A pt with a h/o metastatic lung cancer is directly admitted from the doctor's
office with a dx of anemia 2nd chemotherapy. The pt receives 2 units of PRBCs
and is d/c. What is the most appropriate Pdx?
A. Respiratory neoplasm
B. Anemia 2nd chemo
C. Admission for chemo
D. Admission for blood transfusion
B. Anemia 2nd chemo
Rationale: Per guidelines, when the admission/encounter is for management of an
anemia associated w/ the malignancy and the treatment is only for the anemia, the
appropriate code for the malignancy is sequenced as the principal or 1st listed dx
followed by the appropriate code for the anemia, such as code D63.0, Anemia in
neoplastic disease.
A pt with a h/o COPD, CHF, Afib is admitted from the ED w/ rectal bleeding 2nd
Coumadin toxicity. The physician documents that the pt had a recent increase
in Coumadin dosage d/t low PT/PTT. What is the most appropriate Pdx?
, Page 2 of 63
A. GI hemorrhage
B. Coumadin toxicity
C. COPD
D. CHF
A. GI hemorrhage
Rationale: Per guidelines, when coding an adverse effect of a drug that has been
correctly prescribed and properly administered, assign the appropriate code for the
nature of the adverse effect followed by the appropriate code for the adverse effect
of the drug (T36-T50). The code for the drug should have a 5th or 6th character.
Examples of the nature of an adverse effect are tachycardia, delirium, GI
hemorrhage, vomiting, hypokalemia, hepatitis, renal failure or respiratory failure. The
documentation does not indicate any inconsistency with the prescribed usage of
Coumadin; therefore, the adverse effect becomes the Pdx.
A pt comes to the ED w/ fevers, chills, and knee pain. Documentation states
that the pt's admission is for knee prosthesis removal due to infection. What is
the Pdx?
A. Fever
B. Sepsis
C. Infected knee prosthesis
D. Knee pain
C. Infected knee prosthesis
Rationale: Per guidelines, codes that describe s/s, as opposed to diagnoses, are
acceptable for reporting purposes when a related definitive dx has not been
established (confirmed) by the provider. In this example, sepsis is neither
documented nor supported by appropriate clinical indicators. And while the
documentation does include "fever, chills, and knee pain" the underlying cause is the
infected prosthesis. When a more definitive dx is available and treatment for that dx
is provided, the more specific code should be used. CDI may seek to find out
additional info on the underlying cause of the infection as well as to determine if any
complications of care exist. See Section I.B.16.
A pt is admitted w/ pain in a lower extremity. The physician documents
cellulitis d/t septic joint. X-ray indicates possible osteomyelitis. What is the
, Page 3 of 63
Pdx?
A. Pain
B. Cellulitis
C. Osteomyelitis
D. Septic joint
D. Septic joint
Rationale: Documentation by the provider clearly indicates a septic joint. Only the x-
ray identifies possible osteomyelitis. A radiologist is not considered a treating
provider of care, and therefore the osteomyelitis cannot be coded. A query would be
necessary to ensure this documentation is generated as appropriate.
Which of the following represents correct guidance for assigning a Pdx?
A. Probable/possible conditions should always be assigned over a symptoms
diagnosis
B. The most severe condition should always be coded as principal
C. The coder can link the symptoms to the most appropriate condition
D. A s/s code should only be used if no definitive dx is determined
D. A s/s code should only be used if no definitive dx is determined.
Rationale: Per guidelines, "codes that describe s/s, as opposed to diagnoses, are
acceptable for reporting purposes when a related definitive dx has not been
established (confirmed) by the provider".
A pt is admitted with HTN heart failure and CKD. Appropriate code assignment
would:
A. Identify individual codes for each condition
B. Identify the most appropriate combo code
C. Require a query for a link between the conditions
D. Use a combo code w/ the individual codes listed as secondary
B. Identify most appropriate combo code
Rationale: Combo code is a single code used to classify 2 diagnoses, a diagnosis w/
an associated 2nd process (manifestation), or a dx w/ an associated complication.
Assign only the combo code when that code fully identifies the dx conditions involved
, Page 4 of 63
or when Index so directs. Multiple coding should not be used when the classification
provides a combo code that clearly identifies all of the elements documented in the
dx. When the combo code lacks necessary specificity in describing the manifestation
or complication, an additional code should be used as a secondary code.
Pt is admitted w/ an acute MI, acute respiratory failure, and a h/o of type 2 MI
two years previously. Appropriate sequencing of the conditions would be
based on:
A. Coding guidelines stating that if 2 conditions meet the criteria for Pdx, the
1st dx documented is sequenced 1st and the 2nd condition documented is
sequenced 2nd
B. Coding convention instruction to "code first" the etiology
C. The understanding that the condition requiring the most resource
consumption would be the Pdx
D. Coding guidelines stating that if 2 or more dx equally meet the definition for
Pdx based on circumstances of admit, Alphabetic Index, and Tabular List,
either dx may be sequenced first
D. Coding guidelines stating that if 2 or more dx equally meet the definition for Pdx
based on circumstances of admit, Alphabetic Index, and Tabular List, either dx may
be sequenced first
Rationale: Selection of Pdx will be based on circumstances of the admission. If both
respiratory failure and other acute condition are equally responsible for occasioning
the admission to the hospital and there are no chapter-specific sequencing rules,
either may be sequenced 1st.
Which of the following is true regarding the coding and reporting of HIV?
A. ICD-10 code B20 should be sequenced as Pdx in all cases
B. HIV status must be confirmed by a blood test
C. ICD-10 code B20, if sequenced as 2nd dx, qualifies as MCC
D. Coding depends on reason for admission
D. Coding depends on reason for admission
Rationale: (a) Pt admitted for HIV-related condition...Pdx should be B20 followed by
additional dx codes for all reported HIV-related conditions (b) Pt w/ HIV admitted for
unrelated condition...the code for the unrelated condition should be Pdx
