CAISS 2022 Spine Questions and
Answers Graded A+
Is there a code for cervical spine injuries without further substantiation or no
autopsy confirmation of specific injuries? - Correct answer-Yes, but it has a
severity of 9
How do you code co-existing injuries to the spinal cord and the vertebral column?
- Correct answer-They are coded as a single entry and only have one AIS code.
If a cord injury is continuous which level is coded? - Correct answer-Only the
highest. If the cord is injured in more than one area, and the injuries are separate
and distinct, then all the injuries are coded
When do you code paralysis? - Correct answer-It is coded according to its status at
24 hours post injury. If the patient dies within the first 24 hours, code the status of
documented paralysis at the time of death
How do you code SCIWORA? - Correct answer-It should be coded as spinal cord
contusion not further specified. It is most commonly attributed to the cervical
region.
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, Where do you find a brachial plexus injury in the AIS dictionary? - Correct
answer-Under the cervical spine
How do you code diagnosis of cord compression, or epidural or subdural
hemorrhage within the spinal cord documented by imaging or autopsy? - Correct
answer-Cord contusion
Brown-Sequard is an example of what type of cord syndrome? - Correct answer-
Incomplete cord syndrome
Anterior cord, central cord, lateral cord are what type of cord syndrome? - Correct
answer-Incomplete cord syndrome
Quadriplegia or paraplegia with no sensation is what? - Correct answer-Complete
cord syndrome
If there is preservation of some sensation or motor function, how do you code the
injury to the cord? - Correct answer-Incomplete
True or False: Cord contusions and Cord lacerations include sections for
incomplete and complete cord syndrome? - Correct answer-True
Name two types of disc injury - Correct answer-Herniation and rupture
True or false: Subluxation in the spinal column is coded the same as a dislocation -
Correct answer-True. The spinal column is unique in this.
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Answers Graded A+
Is there a code for cervical spine injuries without further substantiation or no
autopsy confirmation of specific injuries? - Correct answer-Yes, but it has a
severity of 9
How do you code co-existing injuries to the spinal cord and the vertebral column?
- Correct answer-They are coded as a single entry and only have one AIS code.
If a cord injury is continuous which level is coded? - Correct answer-Only the
highest. If the cord is injured in more than one area, and the injuries are separate
and distinct, then all the injuries are coded
When do you code paralysis? - Correct answer-It is coded according to its status at
24 hours post injury. If the patient dies within the first 24 hours, code the status of
documented paralysis at the time of death
How do you code SCIWORA? - Correct answer-It should be coded as spinal cord
contusion not further specified. It is most commonly attributed to the cervical
region.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, Where do you find a brachial plexus injury in the AIS dictionary? - Correct
answer-Under the cervical spine
How do you code diagnosis of cord compression, or epidural or subdural
hemorrhage within the spinal cord documented by imaging or autopsy? - Correct
answer-Cord contusion
Brown-Sequard is an example of what type of cord syndrome? - Correct answer-
Incomplete cord syndrome
Anterior cord, central cord, lateral cord are what type of cord syndrome? - Correct
answer-Incomplete cord syndrome
Quadriplegia or paraplegia with no sensation is what? - Correct answer-Complete
cord syndrome
If there is preservation of some sensation or motor function, how do you code the
injury to the cord? - Correct answer-Incomplete
True or False: Cord contusions and Cord lacerations include sections for
incomplete and complete cord syndrome? - Correct answer-True
Name two types of disc injury - Correct answer-Herniation and rupture
True or false: Subluxation in the spinal column is coded the same as a dislocation -
Correct answer-True. The spinal column is unique in this.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
