AAPC CPC FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Joe has a terrible problem with ingrown toenails. He goes to the podiatrist to have a
nail permanently removed along with the nail matrix. What CPT® code is reported?
a. 11720
b. 11730
c. 11750
d. 11765 - Answer-c. 11750
The patient is seen for removal of fatty tissue of the posterior iliac crest, abdomen,
and the medial and lateral thighs. Suction-assisted lipectomy was undertaken in the
left posterior iliac crest area and was continued on the right and the lateral
trochanteric and posterior aspect of the medial thighs. The medial right and left
thighs were suctioned followed by the abdomen. The total amount infused was 2300
cc and the total amount removed was 2400 cc. The incisions were closed and a
compression garment was applied. What CPT® codes are reported?
a. 15877, 15878-50-51
b. 15877, 15879-50-51
c. 15830, 15839-50-51, 15847
d. 15830, 15832-50-51 - Answer-b. 15877, 15879-50-51
The patient is seen in follow-up for excision of the basal cell carcinoma of his nose. I
examined his nose noting the wound has healed well. His pathology showed the
margins were clear. He has a mass on his forehead; he says it is from a fragment of
sheet metal from an injury to his forehead. He has an X-ray showing a foreign body,
and we have offered to remove it. After obtaining consent we proceeded. The area
was infiltrated with local anesthetic. I had drawn for him how I would incise over the
foreign body. He observed this in the mirror so he could understand the surgery and
agree on the location. I incised a thin ellipse over the mass to give better access to it;
the mass was removed. There was a granuloma capsule around this, containing
what appeared to be a black-colored piece of stained metal; I felt it could potentially
cause a permanent black mark on his forehead. I offered to excise the metal. He
wanted me - Answer-a. 10121, L92.3, Z18.10, Z85.828
In ICD-10-CM, what classification system is used to report open fracture
classifications?
a. Gustilo classification for open fractures
b. PHF classification of fractures
c. Danis-Weber classification
d. Muller AO classification of fractures - Answer-a. Gustilo classification for open
fractures
A patient presented with a right ankle fracture. After induction of general anesthesia,
the right leg was elevated and draped in the usual manner for surgery. A longitudinal
,incision was made parallel and posterior to the fibula. It was curved anteriorly to its
distal end. The skin flap was developed and retracted anteriorly. The distal fibula
fracture was then reduced and held with reduction forceps. A lag screw was inserted
from anterior to posterior across the fracture. A 5-hole 1/3 tubular plate was then
applied to the lateral contours of the fibula with cortical and cancellous bone screws.
Final radiographs showed restoration of the fibula. The wound was irrigated and
closed with suture and staples on the skin. Sterile dressing was applied followed by
a posterior splint. What CPT® code is reported?
a. 27823-RT
b. 27792-RT
c. 27814-RT
d. 27787-RT - Answer-b. 27792-RT
A 49-year-old female presented with chronic deQuervain's disease and has been
unresponsive to physical therapy, bracing or cortisone injection. She has opted for
more definitive treatment. After induction of anesthesia, the patient's left arm was
prepared and draped in the normal sterile fashion. Local anesthetic was injected
using a combination 2% lidocaine and 0.25% Marcaine. A transverse incision was
made over the central area of the first dorsal compartment. The subcutaneous
tissues were gently spread to protect the neural and venous structures. The
retractors were placed. The fascial sheath of the first dorsal compartment was then
incised and opened carefully. The underlying thumb abductor and extensor tendons
were identified. The tissues were dissected and the extensor retinaculum of the first
extensor compartment was incised. The fibrotic tissue was incised and the tendons
gently released. The tendons were fre - Answer-d. 25000-LT
Rationale:
The report states the extensor retinaculum of the first extensor compartment was
incised. Look in CPT index for Incision/Wrist/Tendon Sheath 25000-25001. Code
25000 shows deQuervain's disease in the description. Modifier LT is appended to
inciate procedure is
performed on the left side.
A 45-year-old presents to the operating room with a right index trigger finger and left
shoulder bursitis. The left shoulder was injected with 1 cc of Xylocaine, 1 cc of
Celestone and 1 cc of Marcaine. An approximately 1-inch incision was made over
the A1 pulley in the distal transverse palmar crease. This incision was taken through
skin and subcutaneous tissue. The A1 pulley was identified and released in its
entirety. The wound was irrigated with antibiotic saline solution. The subcutaneous
tissue was injected with Marcaine without epinephrine. The skin was closed with 4-0
Ethilon suture. Clean dressing was applied. What CPT® codes are reported?
a. 20553-F6, 20610-51-LT
b. 20552-F6, 20605-52-LT
c. 26055-F6, 20610-76-LT
d. 26055-F6, 20610-51-LT - Answer-d. 26055-F6, 20610-51-LT
A 3-year-old is brought into the ED crying. He cannot bend his left arm after his older
brother twisted it. X-ray is performed and the ED physician diagnoses the patient has
,a dislocated nursemaid elbow. The ED physician reduces the elbow successfully.
The patient is able to move his arm again. The patient is referred to an orthopedist
for follow-up care. What CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes are reported?
a. 24640-54-LT, S53.091A, W50.2XXA
b. 24600-54-LT, S53.002A, W49.9XXA
c. 24640-54-LT, S53.032A, W50.2XXA
d.24565-54-LT, S53.194S, Y33.XXXA - Answer-c. 24640-54-LT, S53.032A,
W50.2XXA
What CPT® code is reported for an emergency endotracheal intubation to save the
patient's life? - Answer-31500
Rationale: In the CPT® Index, look for Intubation/Endotracheal Tube. This directs
you to code 31500, which is for an emergency endotracheal intubation.
A 16-year-old male is brought to the ED by his mother. He was riding his bicycle in
the park when he fell off the bike. The patient's right arm is painful to touch,
discolored, and swollen. The X-ray shows a closed fracture of the ulna. What ICD-
10-CM codes are reported?
a. S52.201A, V19.9XXA, Y92.830
b. S52.201A, V18.4XXA, Y92.831
c. S52.201A, V18.0XXA, Y92.830
d. S52.209A, V18.4XXA, Y92.830 - Answer-c. S52.201A, V18.0XXA, Y92.830
A 12-month-old receives the following vaccinations: Hepatitis B, Hib, Varicella, and
Mumps-measles-rubella. What ICD-10-CM code(s) is/are reported for the
vaccinations?
a. B19.10, B01.9, B26.9, B05.9, B06.9, Z23
b. Z23, B19.10, B01.9, B26.9, B05.9, B06.9
c. Z23
d. B19.10, B01.9, B26.9, B05.9, B06.9 - Answer-c. Z23
The Table of Drugs in the HCPCS Level II book indicates various medication routes
of administration. What abbreviation represents the route where a drug is introduced
into the subdural space of the spinal cord?
a. IT
b. SC
c. IM
d. INH - Answer-a. IT
A patient is in the OR for an arthroscopy of the medial compartment of his left knee.
A meniscectomy is performed. What is the correct code used to report for the
anesthesia services?
a. 01400
b. 01402
c. 29880-LT
, d. 29870-LT - Answer-a. 01400
What is the correct CPT® code for a MRI performed on the brain first without
contrast and then with contrast?
a. 70554
b. 70553
c. 70552
d. 70551 - Answer-b. 70553
How are ambulance modifiers used?
a. They identify the time elements of the ambulance service.
b. They identify the mileage traveled during the encounter.
c. They identify ambulance place of origin and destination.
d. they identify emergency or non-emergency transport types. - Answer-c. They
identify ambulance place of origin and destination.
What is the correct CPT® code for the wedge excision of a nail fold of an ingrown
toenail? - Answer-11765
Rationale: In the CPT® Index, look for Excision/Nail Fold referring you to 11765.
A patient is taken to surgery for removal of a squamous cell carcinoma of the right
thigh. What is the correct diagnosis code for today's procedure?
a. C44.722
b. C44.702
c. D79.89
d. C79.2 - Answer-a. C44.722
In ICD-10-CM, what type of burn is considered corrosion? - Answer-Burns due to
chemicals
An 18-month-old patient is seen in the ED unable to breathe due to a toy he
swallowed which had lodged in his throat. Soon brain death will occur if an airway is
not established immediately. The ED provider performs an emergency transtracheal
tracheostomy. What CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes are reported?
a. 31603, T17.220A
b. 31603, T17.290A
c. 31601, J34.9, T17.298A
d. 31601, 31603, T17.228A - Answer-b. 31603, T17.290A
What ICD-10-CM code is reported for pyopneumothorax with fistula? - Answer-J86.0
A patient with chronic pneumothoraces presents for chemopleurodesis. Under local
anesthesia a small incision is made between the ribs. A catheter is inserted into the
pleural space between the parietal and pleural viscera. Subsequently, 5g of sterile
asbestos free talc was introduced into the pleural space via the catheter. What
CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes are reported?
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Joe has a terrible problem with ingrown toenails. He goes to the podiatrist to have a
nail permanently removed along with the nail matrix. What CPT® code is reported?
a. 11720
b. 11730
c. 11750
d. 11765 - Answer-c. 11750
The patient is seen for removal of fatty tissue of the posterior iliac crest, abdomen,
and the medial and lateral thighs. Suction-assisted lipectomy was undertaken in the
left posterior iliac crest area and was continued on the right and the lateral
trochanteric and posterior aspect of the medial thighs. The medial right and left
thighs were suctioned followed by the abdomen. The total amount infused was 2300
cc and the total amount removed was 2400 cc. The incisions were closed and a
compression garment was applied. What CPT® codes are reported?
a. 15877, 15878-50-51
b. 15877, 15879-50-51
c. 15830, 15839-50-51, 15847
d. 15830, 15832-50-51 - Answer-b. 15877, 15879-50-51
The patient is seen in follow-up for excision of the basal cell carcinoma of his nose. I
examined his nose noting the wound has healed well. His pathology showed the
margins were clear. He has a mass on his forehead; he says it is from a fragment of
sheet metal from an injury to his forehead. He has an X-ray showing a foreign body,
and we have offered to remove it. After obtaining consent we proceeded. The area
was infiltrated with local anesthetic. I had drawn for him how I would incise over the
foreign body. He observed this in the mirror so he could understand the surgery and
agree on the location. I incised a thin ellipse over the mass to give better access to it;
the mass was removed. There was a granuloma capsule around this, containing
what appeared to be a black-colored piece of stained metal; I felt it could potentially
cause a permanent black mark on his forehead. I offered to excise the metal. He
wanted me - Answer-a. 10121, L92.3, Z18.10, Z85.828
In ICD-10-CM, what classification system is used to report open fracture
classifications?
a. Gustilo classification for open fractures
b. PHF classification of fractures
c. Danis-Weber classification
d. Muller AO classification of fractures - Answer-a. Gustilo classification for open
fractures
A patient presented with a right ankle fracture. After induction of general anesthesia,
the right leg was elevated and draped in the usual manner for surgery. A longitudinal
,incision was made parallel and posterior to the fibula. It was curved anteriorly to its
distal end. The skin flap was developed and retracted anteriorly. The distal fibula
fracture was then reduced and held with reduction forceps. A lag screw was inserted
from anterior to posterior across the fracture. A 5-hole 1/3 tubular plate was then
applied to the lateral contours of the fibula with cortical and cancellous bone screws.
Final radiographs showed restoration of the fibula. The wound was irrigated and
closed with suture and staples on the skin. Sterile dressing was applied followed by
a posterior splint. What CPT® code is reported?
a. 27823-RT
b. 27792-RT
c. 27814-RT
d. 27787-RT - Answer-b. 27792-RT
A 49-year-old female presented with chronic deQuervain's disease and has been
unresponsive to physical therapy, bracing or cortisone injection. She has opted for
more definitive treatment. After induction of anesthesia, the patient's left arm was
prepared and draped in the normal sterile fashion. Local anesthetic was injected
using a combination 2% lidocaine and 0.25% Marcaine. A transverse incision was
made over the central area of the first dorsal compartment. The subcutaneous
tissues were gently spread to protect the neural and venous structures. The
retractors were placed. The fascial sheath of the first dorsal compartment was then
incised and opened carefully. The underlying thumb abductor and extensor tendons
were identified. The tissues were dissected and the extensor retinaculum of the first
extensor compartment was incised. The fibrotic tissue was incised and the tendons
gently released. The tendons were fre - Answer-d. 25000-LT
Rationale:
The report states the extensor retinaculum of the first extensor compartment was
incised. Look in CPT index for Incision/Wrist/Tendon Sheath 25000-25001. Code
25000 shows deQuervain's disease in the description. Modifier LT is appended to
inciate procedure is
performed on the left side.
A 45-year-old presents to the operating room with a right index trigger finger and left
shoulder bursitis. The left shoulder was injected with 1 cc of Xylocaine, 1 cc of
Celestone and 1 cc of Marcaine. An approximately 1-inch incision was made over
the A1 pulley in the distal transverse palmar crease. This incision was taken through
skin and subcutaneous tissue. The A1 pulley was identified and released in its
entirety. The wound was irrigated with antibiotic saline solution. The subcutaneous
tissue was injected with Marcaine without epinephrine. The skin was closed with 4-0
Ethilon suture. Clean dressing was applied. What CPT® codes are reported?
a. 20553-F6, 20610-51-LT
b. 20552-F6, 20605-52-LT
c. 26055-F6, 20610-76-LT
d. 26055-F6, 20610-51-LT - Answer-d. 26055-F6, 20610-51-LT
A 3-year-old is brought into the ED crying. He cannot bend his left arm after his older
brother twisted it. X-ray is performed and the ED physician diagnoses the patient has
,a dislocated nursemaid elbow. The ED physician reduces the elbow successfully.
The patient is able to move his arm again. The patient is referred to an orthopedist
for follow-up care. What CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes are reported?
a. 24640-54-LT, S53.091A, W50.2XXA
b. 24600-54-LT, S53.002A, W49.9XXA
c. 24640-54-LT, S53.032A, W50.2XXA
d.24565-54-LT, S53.194S, Y33.XXXA - Answer-c. 24640-54-LT, S53.032A,
W50.2XXA
What CPT® code is reported for an emergency endotracheal intubation to save the
patient's life? - Answer-31500
Rationale: In the CPT® Index, look for Intubation/Endotracheal Tube. This directs
you to code 31500, which is for an emergency endotracheal intubation.
A 16-year-old male is brought to the ED by his mother. He was riding his bicycle in
the park when he fell off the bike. The patient's right arm is painful to touch,
discolored, and swollen. The X-ray shows a closed fracture of the ulna. What ICD-
10-CM codes are reported?
a. S52.201A, V19.9XXA, Y92.830
b. S52.201A, V18.4XXA, Y92.831
c. S52.201A, V18.0XXA, Y92.830
d. S52.209A, V18.4XXA, Y92.830 - Answer-c. S52.201A, V18.0XXA, Y92.830
A 12-month-old receives the following vaccinations: Hepatitis B, Hib, Varicella, and
Mumps-measles-rubella. What ICD-10-CM code(s) is/are reported for the
vaccinations?
a. B19.10, B01.9, B26.9, B05.9, B06.9, Z23
b. Z23, B19.10, B01.9, B26.9, B05.9, B06.9
c. Z23
d. B19.10, B01.9, B26.9, B05.9, B06.9 - Answer-c. Z23
The Table of Drugs in the HCPCS Level II book indicates various medication routes
of administration. What abbreviation represents the route where a drug is introduced
into the subdural space of the spinal cord?
a. IT
b. SC
c. IM
d. INH - Answer-a. IT
A patient is in the OR for an arthroscopy of the medial compartment of his left knee.
A meniscectomy is performed. What is the correct code used to report for the
anesthesia services?
a. 01400
b. 01402
c. 29880-LT
, d. 29870-LT - Answer-a. 01400
What is the correct CPT® code for a MRI performed on the brain first without
contrast and then with contrast?
a. 70554
b. 70553
c. 70552
d. 70551 - Answer-b. 70553
How are ambulance modifiers used?
a. They identify the time elements of the ambulance service.
b. They identify the mileage traveled during the encounter.
c. They identify ambulance place of origin and destination.
d. they identify emergency or non-emergency transport types. - Answer-c. They
identify ambulance place of origin and destination.
What is the correct CPT® code for the wedge excision of a nail fold of an ingrown
toenail? - Answer-11765
Rationale: In the CPT® Index, look for Excision/Nail Fold referring you to 11765.
A patient is taken to surgery for removal of a squamous cell carcinoma of the right
thigh. What is the correct diagnosis code for today's procedure?
a. C44.722
b. C44.702
c. D79.89
d. C79.2 - Answer-a. C44.722
In ICD-10-CM, what type of burn is considered corrosion? - Answer-Burns due to
chemicals
An 18-month-old patient is seen in the ED unable to breathe due to a toy he
swallowed which had lodged in his throat. Soon brain death will occur if an airway is
not established immediately. The ED provider performs an emergency transtracheal
tracheostomy. What CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes are reported?
a. 31603, T17.220A
b. 31603, T17.290A
c. 31601, J34.9, T17.298A
d. 31601, 31603, T17.228A - Answer-b. 31603, T17.290A
What ICD-10-CM code is reported for pyopneumothorax with fistula? - Answer-J86.0
A patient with chronic pneumothoraces presents for chemopleurodesis. Under local
anesthesia a small incision is made between the ribs. A catheter is inserted into the
pleural space between the parietal and pleural viscera. Subsequently, 5g of sterile
asbestos free talc was introduced into the pleural space via the catheter. What
CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes are reported?
