CAISS EXTREMITIES AND PELVIC
GIRDLE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS L LATEST
VERSION 2025/2026.
How do you code GSW with missile lodged in the bone? - ANS As an Open Fx (Clarification
document)
How do you code bony fractures that are the result of a GSW? - ANS Open Fx
How do you code bone contusions? - ANS They are not codeable
What are some anatomical landmarks for amputation of the upper extremity? - ANS 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.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, When can you code compartment syndrome in the upper extremity? - ANS 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)
What does crush injury involve? - ANS Massive destruction of skeletal vascular nervous and
tissue systems
Where are degloving injuries to the upper extremity assigned to - ANS External
What are considerations for assigning PENETRATING injury codes? - ANS 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.
Describe a major laceration to the upper extremity - ANS 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
What is the difference between a minor and major avulsion on the upper extremity? - ANS 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
What are considerations for coding a vessel injury in the upper extremity? - ANS 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.
True or false. A vascular injury in upper extremity not further specified has a severity of 9"" -
ANS TRUE
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
GIRDLE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS L LATEST
VERSION 2025/2026.
How do you code GSW with missile lodged in the bone? - ANS As an Open Fx (Clarification
document)
How do you code bony fractures that are the result of a GSW? - ANS Open Fx
How do you code bone contusions? - ANS They are not codeable
What are some anatomical landmarks for amputation of the upper extremity? - ANS 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.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, When can you code compartment syndrome in the upper extremity? - ANS 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)
What does crush injury involve? - ANS Massive destruction of skeletal vascular nervous and
tissue systems
Where are degloving injuries to the upper extremity assigned to - ANS External
What are considerations for assigning PENETRATING injury codes? - ANS 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.
Describe a major laceration to the upper extremity - ANS 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
What is the difference between a minor and major avulsion on the upper extremity? - ANS 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
What are considerations for coding a vessel injury in the upper extremity? - ANS 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.
True or false. A vascular injury in upper extremity not further specified has a severity of 9"" -
ANS TRUE
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
