NCCQ theory OPCS Quality questions
And Revised Answers 2025/2026.
How many steps make up the OPCS coding process? - correct answer 4
What is step one of the OPCS four step coding process? - correct answer Analyse
procedural/interventional terminology to determine lead term(s) and modifier(s
What is step two of the OPCS four step coding process? - correct answer Locate the lead term(s)
in the Alphabetical Index (OPCS-4 Volume II)
What is step three of the OPCS four step coding process? - correct answer Assign a tentative
code(s) using the Alphabetical Index and taking into account all rules, conventions and
standards
What is step four of the OPCS four step coding process? - correct answer Verify the code(s)
using the Tabular List (OPCS-4 Volume I) and taking into account instructional notes
What is the definition of an intervention within OPCS? - correct answer Interventions are those
aspects of clinical care carried out on patients undergoing treatment:
• for the prevention, diagnosis, care or relief of disease;
• for the correction of deformity or deficit, including those performed for cosmetic reasons; and
• associated with pregnancy, childbirth or contraceptive or procreative management.
Typically this will be:
• surgical in nature; and/or
• carries a procedural risk; and/or
• carries an anaesthetic risk; and/or
, • requires specialist training; and/or
• requires special facilities or equipment only available in an acute care setting
How many chapters are there within OPCS-4? What do they cover? - correct answer There are
24 chapters in total within the OPCS-4 classification.
These comprise 20 chapters covering individual body systems (Chapters A-T and V-W)
One for diagnostic imaging, testing and rehabilitation procedures (Chapter U)
One for miscellaneous procedures and operations covering multiple systems, e.g. transfusion,
resuscitation (Chapter X). There are also two additional chapters providing subsidiary
classifications, one for methods of operation (Chapter Y) and the other for sites and laterality of
operation (Chapter Z).
What is the main axis of classification within OPCS-4? - correct answer Body system
What further/more specific axis of classification exists within OPCS-4 apart from body system? -
correct answer Within any particular body system the axis is the organ and within any particular
organ the axis is the specific operation/intervention.
The operations/interventions are broadly listed in descending order of complexity, give these
levels of complexity and an example of a procedure for each. - correct answer Major -
Total removal
Functional replacement
Transplant
Intermediate -
Partial removal
Partial destruction
Reconstruction Repair
And Revised Answers 2025/2026.
How many steps make up the OPCS coding process? - correct answer 4
What is step one of the OPCS four step coding process? - correct answer Analyse
procedural/interventional terminology to determine lead term(s) and modifier(s
What is step two of the OPCS four step coding process? - correct answer Locate the lead term(s)
in the Alphabetical Index (OPCS-4 Volume II)
What is step three of the OPCS four step coding process? - correct answer Assign a tentative
code(s) using the Alphabetical Index and taking into account all rules, conventions and
standards
What is step four of the OPCS four step coding process? - correct answer Verify the code(s)
using the Tabular List (OPCS-4 Volume I) and taking into account instructional notes
What is the definition of an intervention within OPCS? - correct answer Interventions are those
aspects of clinical care carried out on patients undergoing treatment:
• for the prevention, diagnosis, care or relief of disease;
• for the correction of deformity or deficit, including those performed for cosmetic reasons; and
• associated with pregnancy, childbirth or contraceptive or procreative management.
Typically this will be:
• surgical in nature; and/or
• carries a procedural risk; and/or
• carries an anaesthetic risk; and/or
, • requires specialist training; and/or
• requires special facilities or equipment only available in an acute care setting
How many chapters are there within OPCS-4? What do they cover? - correct answer There are
24 chapters in total within the OPCS-4 classification.
These comprise 20 chapters covering individual body systems (Chapters A-T and V-W)
One for diagnostic imaging, testing and rehabilitation procedures (Chapter U)
One for miscellaneous procedures and operations covering multiple systems, e.g. transfusion,
resuscitation (Chapter X). There are also two additional chapters providing subsidiary
classifications, one for methods of operation (Chapter Y) and the other for sites and laterality of
operation (Chapter Z).
What is the main axis of classification within OPCS-4? - correct answer Body system
What further/more specific axis of classification exists within OPCS-4 apart from body system? -
correct answer Within any particular body system the axis is the organ and within any particular
organ the axis is the specific operation/intervention.
The operations/interventions are broadly listed in descending order of complexity, give these
levels of complexity and an example of a procedure for each. - correct answer Major -
Total removal
Functional replacement
Transplant
Intermediate -
Partial removal
Partial destruction
Reconstruction Repair
