CAISS EXTREMITIES AND PELVIC
GIRDLE. EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
As an Open Fx (Clarification document) - ANS How do you code GSW with missile lodged in
the bone?
Open Fx - ANS How do you code bony fractures that are the result of a GSW?
They are not codeable - ANS 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. - ANS 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) - ANS When can you code compartment syndrome in the upper extremity?
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, Massive destruction of skeletal vascular nervous and tissue systems - ANS What does crush
injury involve?
External - ANS 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. - ANS 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 - ANS 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 -
ANS 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. - ANS What are considerations for coding a vessel injury in the upper
extremity?
TRUE - ANS 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
Copyright ©2025 BRIGHTSTARS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
GIRDLE. EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
As an Open Fx (Clarification document) - ANS How do you code GSW with missile lodged in
the bone?
Open Fx - ANS How do you code bony fractures that are the result of a GSW?
They are not codeable - ANS 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. - ANS 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) - ANS When can you code compartment syndrome in the upper extremity?
Copyright ©2025 BRIGHTSTARS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, Massive destruction of skeletal vascular nervous and tissue systems - ANS What does crush
injury involve?
External - ANS 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. - ANS 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 - ANS 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 -
ANS 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. - ANS What are considerations for coding a vessel injury in the upper
extremity?
TRUE - ANS 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
Copyright ©2025 BRIGHTSTARS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
