CAISS Extremities and Pelvic Girdle EXAM Questions
and Answers (Verified Answers) || GRADED A+||
LATEST UPDATE 2025/26
As an Open Fx (Clarification document) -CORRECTANSWER How do you code GSW
with missile lodged in the bone?
Open Fx -CORRECTANSWER How do you code bony fractures that are the result of a
GSW?
They are not codeable -CORRECTANSWER How do you code bone contusions?
1. Between shoulder and hand NFS [does not apply to hands, thumbs, fingers]
2. At the shoulder
3. at or above elbow but below shoulder
4. below elbow at or above wrist
5. hand - partial or complete
6. thumb
7. other fingers - single or multiple. -CORRECTANSWER What are some anatomical
landmarks for amputation of the upper extremity?
Compartment syndrome from trauma to soft tissue only w/o FX, destruction of bone or
other structures (i.e.., you can use this category only if no specific injuries to the upper
,extremity are documented) -CORRECTANSWER When can you code compartment
syndrome in the upper extremity?
Massive destruction of skeletal vascular nervous and tissue systems -
CORRECTANSWER What does crush injury involve?
External -CORRECTANSWER Where are degloving injuries to the upper extremity
assigned to
Use this if penetrating injury does not involve bone or internal structures; there are
specific codes for tissue loss > 25 cm²; there are codes for blood loss > 20% for
penetrating injuries at the shoulder or at or above the elbow, below the shoulder. -
CORRECTANSWER What are considerations for assigning PENETRATING injury
codes?
It is more than 10 cm long on the hand or greater than 20 cm long on the entire
extremity and into the subcutaneous tissue -CORRECTANSWER Describe a major
laceration to the upper extremity
A minor or superficial is </= to 25 cm² on the hand or </= 100 cm² on the entire
extremity. A major avulsion is tissue loss > 25 cm on the hand or > 100 cm² on the
entire extremity -CORRECTANSWER What is the difference between a minor and
major avulsion on the upper extremity?
, Do not code them separately when they are directly involved in crush type injuries or
amputation unless a vascular injury is higher in severity than the crush or amputation
injury. Branches of vessels are not coded unless they are named vessels and or listed
within a specific vessel descriptor. -CORRECTANSWER What are considerations for
coding a vessel injury in the upper extremity?
TRUE -CORRECTANSWER True or false. A vascular injury in upper extremity not
further specified has a severity of 9""
1. Axillary artery, axillary vein,
2. Brachial artery, brachial vein,
3. Other named arteries such as Radial or ulnar
4. Other named veins such as cephalic or basilic. -CORRECTANSWER Name vessels
specifically listed in the upper extremity chapter
TRUE -CORRECTANSWER True or false. In the vessel section, laceration, perforation
or puncture are coded the same
Superficial; incomplete circumferential involvement; blood loss </= 20% by volume. -
CORRECTANSWER Describe a minor laceration to a vessel
and Answers (Verified Answers) || GRADED A+||
LATEST UPDATE 2025/26
As an Open Fx (Clarification document) -CORRECTANSWER How do you code GSW
with missile lodged in the bone?
Open Fx -CORRECTANSWER How do you code bony fractures that are the result of a
GSW?
They are not codeable -CORRECTANSWER How do you code bone contusions?
1. Between shoulder and hand NFS [does not apply to hands, thumbs, fingers]
2. At the shoulder
3. at or above elbow but below shoulder
4. below elbow at or above wrist
5. hand - partial or complete
6. thumb
7. other fingers - single or multiple. -CORRECTANSWER What are some anatomical
landmarks for amputation of the upper extremity?
Compartment syndrome from trauma to soft tissue only w/o FX, destruction of bone or
other structures (i.e.., you can use this category only if no specific injuries to the upper
,extremity are documented) -CORRECTANSWER When can you code compartment
syndrome in the upper extremity?
Massive destruction of skeletal vascular nervous and tissue systems -
CORRECTANSWER What does crush injury involve?
External -CORRECTANSWER Where are degloving injuries to the upper extremity
assigned to
Use this if penetrating injury does not involve bone or internal structures; there are
specific codes for tissue loss > 25 cm²; there are codes for blood loss > 20% for
penetrating injuries at the shoulder or at or above the elbow, below the shoulder. -
CORRECTANSWER What are considerations for assigning PENETRATING injury
codes?
It is more than 10 cm long on the hand or greater than 20 cm long on the entire
extremity and into the subcutaneous tissue -CORRECTANSWER Describe a major
laceration to the upper extremity
A minor or superficial is </= to 25 cm² on the hand or </= 100 cm² on the entire
extremity. A major avulsion is tissue loss > 25 cm on the hand or > 100 cm² on the
entire extremity -CORRECTANSWER What is the difference between a minor and
major avulsion on the upper extremity?
, Do not code them separately when they are directly involved in crush type injuries or
amputation unless a vascular injury is higher in severity than the crush or amputation
injury. Branches of vessels are not coded unless they are named vessels and or listed
within a specific vessel descriptor. -CORRECTANSWER What are considerations for
coding a vessel injury in the upper extremity?
TRUE -CORRECTANSWER True or false. A vascular injury in upper extremity not
further specified has a severity of 9""
1. Axillary artery, axillary vein,
2. Brachial artery, brachial vein,
3. Other named arteries such as Radial or ulnar
4. Other named veins such as cephalic or basilic. -CORRECTANSWER Name vessels
specifically listed in the upper extremity chapter
TRUE -CORRECTANSWER True or false. In the vessel section, laceration, perforation
or puncture are coded the same
Superficial; incomplete circumferential involvement; blood loss </= 20% by volume. -
CORRECTANSWER Describe a minor laceration to a vessel
