AAPC CPC CHAPTER 8 2024-2025 QUESTIONS
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
What information is required to accurately code osteoarthritis in ICD-10-CM? -
CORRECT ANSWER Whether the osteoarthritis is primary, secondary, post-traumatic,
the site and laterality.
Rationale: To accurately code osteoarthritis in ICD-10-CM, the documentation needs to
include whether the arthritis is primary, secondary, post-traumatic, the site and laterality
(right/left).
What is the acromion? - CORRECT ANSWER Extension of the scapula
Rationale: The acromion is an extension of the scapula that meets the clavicle at the
shoulder to form the acromioclavicular joint.
Most of the codes in ICD-10-CM Chapter 13 Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and
Connective Tissue have site and laterality designations. According to ICD-10-CM
guidelines what is considered the site? - CORRECT ANSWER The site may be the
bone, joint or muscle involved.
Rationale: According to ICD-10-CM guideline I.C.13.a., the site may be the bone, joint or
muscle involved.
A patient has a greenstick fracture of the right radial shaft. It is treated by surgically
placing a bone plate on the distal radial shaft. What ICD-10-CM code is reported? -
CORRECT ANSWER S52.311A
, AAPC CPC CHAPTER 8 2024-2025 QUESTIONS
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Rationale: A greenstick fracture occurs when the bone does not break completely
through, and the bone does not protrude through the skin; this is a closed fracture. The
treatment to fix the fracture is an open approach to expose the bone to insert the plate
across the fracture site; however, the fracture care treatment is not considered when
coding for the diagnosis. In the ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index look for Fracture,
traumatic/radius/shaft/greenstick S52.31-. In ICD-10-CM codes are specific for laterality
(left, right) and the episode of care. Check the Tabular List and seven characters are
needed to complete the code. Right radial shaft is indicated in the question and because
the encounter is being treated surgically, this meets the definition of initial encounter or
active treatment (See ICD-10-CM guideline I.C.19.a.). The complete code is S52.311A.
What is segmental instrumentation? - CORRECT ANSWER A spinal fixation device
attached at each end of a rod and at additional bony attachment
Rationale: Segmental instrumentation of the spine is a procedure used to repair a spinal
defect where the fixation device is attached in at least three places: at each end of the
construct (rod) and at least one additional interposed bony attachment.
A patient presented with a closed, displaced supracondylar fracture of the left elbow.
After conscious sedation, the left upper extremity was draped and closed reduction was
performed, achieving anatomical reduction of the fracture. The elbow was then prepped
and with the use of fluoroscopic guidance, two K-wires were directed crossing the
fracture site and piercing the medial cortex of the left distal humerus. Stable reduction
was obtained, with full flexion and extension. K-wires were bent and cut at a 90-degree
angle. Telfa padding and splint were applied. What CPT® code(s) is/are reported? -
CORRECT ANSWER 24538-LT
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
What information is required to accurately code osteoarthritis in ICD-10-CM? -
CORRECT ANSWER Whether the osteoarthritis is primary, secondary, post-traumatic,
the site and laterality.
Rationale: To accurately code osteoarthritis in ICD-10-CM, the documentation needs to
include whether the arthritis is primary, secondary, post-traumatic, the site and laterality
(right/left).
What is the acromion? - CORRECT ANSWER Extension of the scapula
Rationale: The acromion is an extension of the scapula that meets the clavicle at the
shoulder to form the acromioclavicular joint.
Most of the codes in ICD-10-CM Chapter 13 Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and
Connective Tissue have site and laterality designations. According to ICD-10-CM
guidelines what is considered the site? - CORRECT ANSWER The site may be the
bone, joint or muscle involved.
Rationale: According to ICD-10-CM guideline I.C.13.a., the site may be the bone, joint or
muscle involved.
A patient has a greenstick fracture of the right radial shaft. It is treated by surgically
placing a bone plate on the distal radial shaft. What ICD-10-CM code is reported? -
CORRECT ANSWER S52.311A
, AAPC CPC CHAPTER 8 2024-2025 QUESTIONS
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Rationale: A greenstick fracture occurs when the bone does not break completely
through, and the bone does not protrude through the skin; this is a closed fracture. The
treatment to fix the fracture is an open approach to expose the bone to insert the plate
across the fracture site; however, the fracture care treatment is not considered when
coding for the diagnosis. In the ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index look for Fracture,
traumatic/radius/shaft/greenstick S52.31-. In ICD-10-CM codes are specific for laterality
(left, right) and the episode of care. Check the Tabular List and seven characters are
needed to complete the code. Right radial shaft is indicated in the question and because
the encounter is being treated surgically, this meets the definition of initial encounter or
active treatment (See ICD-10-CM guideline I.C.19.a.). The complete code is S52.311A.
What is segmental instrumentation? - CORRECT ANSWER A spinal fixation device
attached at each end of a rod and at additional bony attachment
Rationale: Segmental instrumentation of the spine is a procedure used to repair a spinal
defect where the fixation device is attached in at least three places: at each end of the
construct (rod) and at least one additional interposed bony attachment.
A patient presented with a closed, displaced supracondylar fracture of the left elbow.
After conscious sedation, the left upper extremity was draped and closed reduction was
performed, achieving anatomical reduction of the fracture. The elbow was then prepped
and with the use of fluoroscopic guidance, two K-wires were directed crossing the
fracture site and piercing the medial cortex of the left distal humerus. Stable reduction
was obtained, with full flexion and extension. K-wires were bent and cut at a 90-degree
angle. Telfa padding and splint were applied. What CPT® code(s) is/are reported? -
CORRECT ANSWER 24538-LT
