AAPC CPC Certification Practice Exam: Questions 1–120
Certified Professional Coder (CPC) – Exam Preparation
AAPC CPC Practice Exam 2025
(120 Questions with Answers & Rationales)
1. A patient presents with acute cholecystitis. What ICD-10-CM code is assigned?
A. K81.0
B. K80.00
C. K80.10
D. K81.1
Answer: A. K81.0
Rationale: K81.0 is used for acute cholecystitis without mention of calculi. K80
codes are for cholelithiasis (gallstones).
2. What is the correct CPT code for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy with
cholangiography?
A. 47562
B. 47563
,C. 47564
D. 47600
Answer: B. 47563
Rationale: 47563 includes laparoscopic cholecystectomy with intraoperative
cholangiography.
3. A patient undergoes a screening colonoscopy. Polyps are found and removed
via snare technique. Which CPT code is appropriate?
A. 45378
B. 45385
C. 45384
D. 45380
Answer: B. 45385
Rationale: 45385 is for colonoscopy with removal of tumors, polyps, or other
lesions by snare technique.
4. Modifier -59 indicates:
A. Unrelated E/M service by the same physician
B. Different session or procedure
C. Bilateral procedure
D. Reduced services
Answer: B. Different session or procedure
,Rationale: Modifier 59 is used to identify procedures or services that are not
normally reported together but are appropriate under the circumstances.
5. Which of the following is an HCPCS Level II code?
A. 99213
B. J1050
C. 47562
D. 11055
Answer: B. J1050
Rationale: HCPCS Level II codes include alphanumeric codes like J1050 for
injectable drugs.
6. A 10-year-old undergoes a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy under general
anesthesia. What is the appropriate CPT code?
A. 42820
B. 42826
C. 42821
D. 42825
Answer: A. 42820
Rationale: 42820 is for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, under age 12.
7. What is the term for inflammation of the liver?
A. Hepatitis
, B. Nephritis
C. Gastritis
D. Cystitis
Answer: A. Hepatitis
Rationale: "Hepat-" refers to liver and "-itis" refers to inflammation.
8. The term "s/p cholecystectomy" means:
A. Scheduled procedure for gallbladder removal
B. History of gallbladder removal
C. Gallbladder infection
D. Postoperative complications
Answer: B. History of gallbladder removal
Rationale: "s/p" means status post, indicating the patient has already had the
surgery.
9. Which section of CPT codes ranges from 99201–99499?
A. Pathology and Laboratory
B. Anesthesia
C. Surgery
D. Evaluation and Management
Answer: D. Evaluation and Management
Rationale: The E/M section includes CPT codes 99201–99499.
Certified Professional Coder (CPC) – Exam Preparation
AAPC CPC Practice Exam 2025
(120 Questions with Answers & Rationales)
1. A patient presents with acute cholecystitis. What ICD-10-CM code is assigned?
A. K81.0
B. K80.00
C. K80.10
D. K81.1
Answer: A. K81.0
Rationale: K81.0 is used for acute cholecystitis without mention of calculi. K80
codes are for cholelithiasis (gallstones).
2. What is the correct CPT code for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy with
cholangiography?
A. 47562
B. 47563
,C. 47564
D. 47600
Answer: B. 47563
Rationale: 47563 includes laparoscopic cholecystectomy with intraoperative
cholangiography.
3. A patient undergoes a screening colonoscopy. Polyps are found and removed
via snare technique. Which CPT code is appropriate?
A. 45378
B. 45385
C. 45384
D. 45380
Answer: B. 45385
Rationale: 45385 is for colonoscopy with removal of tumors, polyps, or other
lesions by snare technique.
4. Modifier -59 indicates:
A. Unrelated E/M service by the same physician
B. Different session or procedure
C. Bilateral procedure
D. Reduced services
Answer: B. Different session or procedure
,Rationale: Modifier 59 is used to identify procedures or services that are not
normally reported together but are appropriate under the circumstances.
5. Which of the following is an HCPCS Level II code?
A. 99213
B. J1050
C. 47562
D. 11055
Answer: B. J1050
Rationale: HCPCS Level II codes include alphanumeric codes like J1050 for
injectable drugs.
6. A 10-year-old undergoes a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy under general
anesthesia. What is the appropriate CPT code?
A. 42820
B. 42826
C. 42821
D. 42825
Answer: A. 42820
Rationale: 42820 is for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, under age 12.
7. What is the term for inflammation of the liver?
A. Hepatitis
, B. Nephritis
C. Gastritis
D. Cystitis
Answer: A. Hepatitis
Rationale: "Hepat-" refers to liver and "-itis" refers to inflammation.
8. The term "s/p cholecystectomy" means:
A. Scheduled procedure for gallbladder removal
B. History of gallbladder removal
C. Gallbladder infection
D. Postoperative complications
Answer: B. History of gallbladder removal
Rationale: "s/p" means status post, indicating the patient has already had the
surgery.
9. Which section of CPT codes ranges from 99201–99499?
A. Pathology and Laboratory
B. Anesthesia
C. Surgery
D. Evaluation and Management
Answer: D. Evaluation and Management
Rationale: The E/M section includes CPT codes 99201–99499.
