1
AAPC OFFICIAL CPC CERTIFICATION STUDY
GUIDE: STUDY GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027 | PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT ANSWERS |
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
This comprehensive practice examination is designed for candidates preparing for
the AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification examination. It reflects
the 2026/2027 content blueprint covering medical terminology, anatomy, ICD-10-
CM diagnosis coding, CPT procedural coding including Evaluation and
Management, Surgery, Radiology, Pathology, and Medicine sections, HCPCS
Level II coding, modifiers, and compliance and regulatory guidelines. The exam
consists of 100 multiple-choice questions to be completed in four hours, with a
passing score of 70%. Each item includes verified solutions and detailed rationales
to help candidates master the competencies required for certification success. This
guide simulates certification-level difficulty and supports focused professional
exam preparation.
Table of Contents
I. Medical Terminology and Anatomy
II. ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding
III. Evaluation and Management Coding
IV. CPT Surgery Coding
V. CPT Radiology and Pathology Coding
VI. CPT Medicine Coding
VII. HCPCS Level II Coding
VIII. Modifiers and Compliance
IX. Anesthesia Coding
X. Case-Based Coding Scenarios
, 2
Question 1: What is the medical term for inflammation of the liver?
A) Nephritis
B) Arthritis
C) Hepatitis
D) Dermatitis
Correct Answer: C
The root word "hepat" refers to the liver, and the suffix "-itis" means inflammation.
Hepatitis is the correct term for liver inflammation. Nephritis refers to kidney
inflammation, arthritis to joint inflammation, and dermatitis to skin inflammation.
Question 2: The combining form "oste/o" refers to which part of the body?
A) Muscle
B) Bone
C) Joint
D) Nerve
Correct Answer: B
"Oste/o" is a foundational combining form in medical terminology meaning bone,
as seen in terms like osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. My/o refers to muscle, arthr/o
refers to joint, and neur/o refers to nerve.
Question 3: Which plane divides the body into superior and inferior portions?
A) Sagittal
B) Coronal
C) Transverse
D) Midsagittal
Correct Answer: C
The transverse (or horizontal) plane runs parallel to the ground, dividing the body
into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) parts. The sagittal plane divides the
body into left and right portions, the coronal plane divides it into front and back,
and the midsagittal plane divides it into equal left and right halves.
Question 4: The term "cephalic" is related to:
A) The tailbone
B) The head
, 3
C) The neck
D) The abdomen
Correct Answer: B
"Cephalic" comes from the Greek word "kephalikos" meaning head. It is used in
terms like cephalgia (headache) and cephalad (toward the head). Caudal refers to
the tailbone, cervical to the neck, and abdominal to the abdomen.
Question 5: What does the suffix "-ectomy" mean?
A) Surgical repair
B) Visual examination
C) Surgical removal
D) Incision into
Correct Answer: C
The suffix "-ectomy" means surgical excision or removal, as seen in appendectomy
(removal of the appendix) and tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils). "-plasty"
means surgical repair, "-scopy" means visual examination, and "-otomy" means
incision into.
Question 6: The heart is located in which body cavity?
A) Cranial cavity
B) Thoracic cavity
C) Abdominal cavity
D) Pelvic cavity
Correct Answer: B
The thoracic cavity is protected by the rib cage and contains the heart, lungs, and
major blood vessels. The cranial cavity contains the brain, the abdominal cavity
contains digestive organs, and the pelvic cavity contains reproductive and
excretory organs.
Question 7: Which term describes the front side of the body?
A) Posterior
B) Dorsal
C) Anterior
D) Lateral
, 4
Correct Answer: C
Anterior (or ventral) refers to the front of the body. Posterior (or dorsal) refers to
the back, and lateral refers to the side. These directional terms are essential for
accurate anatomical documentation and coding.
Question 8: The phalanges are the bones of the:
A) Skull
B) Spine
C) Fingers and toes
D) Ribs
Correct Answer: C
Phalanges are the digital bones in the hands and feet. The skull contains cranial
and facial bones, the spine contains vertebrae, and the ribs are curved bones
forming the thoracic cage.
Question 9: What is the function of the large intestine?
A) Digestion of proteins
B) Absorption of nutrients
C) Absorption of water and electrolyte balance
D) Production of insulin
Correct Answer: C
The primary functions of the large intestine are to absorb water and salts from
undigested material and to eliminate waste products. Protein digestion occurs
primarily in the stomach and small intestine, nutrient absorption primarily in the
small intestine, and insulin production in the pancreas.
Question 10: The trachea is also known as the:
A) Voice box
B) Throat
C) Windpipe
D) Bronchus
Correct Answer: C
The trachea is the cartilaginous tube that connects the larynx to the bronchi,
commonly called the windpipe. The voice box is the larynx, the throat is the
pharynx, and the bronchus is a branch of the trachea leading to the lungs.
AAPC OFFICIAL CPC CERTIFICATION STUDY
GUIDE: STUDY GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027 | PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT ANSWERS |
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
This comprehensive practice examination is designed for candidates preparing for
the AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification examination. It reflects
the 2026/2027 content blueprint covering medical terminology, anatomy, ICD-10-
CM diagnosis coding, CPT procedural coding including Evaluation and
Management, Surgery, Radiology, Pathology, and Medicine sections, HCPCS
Level II coding, modifiers, and compliance and regulatory guidelines. The exam
consists of 100 multiple-choice questions to be completed in four hours, with a
passing score of 70%. Each item includes verified solutions and detailed rationales
to help candidates master the competencies required for certification success. This
guide simulates certification-level difficulty and supports focused professional
exam preparation.
Table of Contents
I. Medical Terminology and Anatomy
II. ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding
III. Evaluation and Management Coding
IV. CPT Surgery Coding
V. CPT Radiology and Pathology Coding
VI. CPT Medicine Coding
VII. HCPCS Level II Coding
VIII. Modifiers and Compliance
IX. Anesthesia Coding
X. Case-Based Coding Scenarios
, 2
Question 1: What is the medical term for inflammation of the liver?
A) Nephritis
B) Arthritis
C) Hepatitis
D) Dermatitis
Correct Answer: C
The root word "hepat" refers to the liver, and the suffix "-itis" means inflammation.
Hepatitis is the correct term for liver inflammation. Nephritis refers to kidney
inflammation, arthritis to joint inflammation, and dermatitis to skin inflammation.
Question 2: The combining form "oste/o" refers to which part of the body?
A) Muscle
B) Bone
C) Joint
D) Nerve
Correct Answer: B
"Oste/o" is a foundational combining form in medical terminology meaning bone,
as seen in terms like osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. My/o refers to muscle, arthr/o
refers to joint, and neur/o refers to nerve.
Question 3: Which plane divides the body into superior and inferior portions?
A) Sagittal
B) Coronal
C) Transverse
D) Midsagittal
Correct Answer: C
The transverse (or horizontal) plane runs parallel to the ground, dividing the body
into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) parts. The sagittal plane divides the
body into left and right portions, the coronal plane divides it into front and back,
and the midsagittal plane divides it into equal left and right halves.
Question 4: The term "cephalic" is related to:
A) The tailbone
B) The head
, 3
C) The neck
D) The abdomen
Correct Answer: B
"Cephalic" comes from the Greek word "kephalikos" meaning head. It is used in
terms like cephalgia (headache) and cephalad (toward the head). Caudal refers to
the tailbone, cervical to the neck, and abdominal to the abdomen.
Question 5: What does the suffix "-ectomy" mean?
A) Surgical repair
B) Visual examination
C) Surgical removal
D) Incision into
Correct Answer: C
The suffix "-ectomy" means surgical excision or removal, as seen in appendectomy
(removal of the appendix) and tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils). "-plasty"
means surgical repair, "-scopy" means visual examination, and "-otomy" means
incision into.
Question 6: The heart is located in which body cavity?
A) Cranial cavity
B) Thoracic cavity
C) Abdominal cavity
D) Pelvic cavity
Correct Answer: B
The thoracic cavity is protected by the rib cage and contains the heart, lungs, and
major blood vessels. The cranial cavity contains the brain, the abdominal cavity
contains digestive organs, and the pelvic cavity contains reproductive and
excretory organs.
Question 7: Which term describes the front side of the body?
A) Posterior
B) Dorsal
C) Anterior
D) Lateral
, 4
Correct Answer: C
Anterior (or ventral) refers to the front of the body. Posterior (or dorsal) refers to
the back, and lateral refers to the side. These directional terms are essential for
accurate anatomical documentation and coding.
Question 8: The phalanges are the bones of the:
A) Skull
B) Spine
C) Fingers and toes
D) Ribs
Correct Answer: C
Phalanges are the digital bones in the hands and feet. The skull contains cranial
and facial bones, the spine contains vertebrae, and the ribs are curved bones
forming the thoracic cage.
Question 9: What is the function of the large intestine?
A) Digestion of proteins
B) Absorption of nutrients
C) Absorption of water and electrolyte balance
D) Production of insulin
Correct Answer: C
The primary functions of the large intestine are to absorb water and salts from
undigested material and to eliminate waste products. Protein digestion occurs
primarily in the stomach and small intestine, nutrient absorption primarily in the
small intestine, and insulin production in the pancreas.
Question 10: The trachea is also known as the:
A) Voice box
B) Throat
C) Windpipe
D) Bronchus
Correct Answer: C
The trachea is the cartilaginous tube that connects the larynx to the bronchi,
commonly called the windpipe. The voice box is the larynx, the throat is the
pharynx, and the bronchus is a branch of the trachea leading to the lungs.
