Certified Coding Associate (CCA®) Exam | Complete
Certified Questions and Correct Verified Answers |
2025/2026 Edition
Comprehensive AHIMA CCA® Exam Review | 2025/2026 Updated Edition | Includes the complete set of
actual exam-style questions with correct, verified answers and in-depth explanations | Covers all CCA®
exam domains: Clinical Classification Systems, Reimbursement Methodologies, Health Records and Data
Content, Compliance, Information Technologies, Confidentiality & Privacy, and Medical Terminology &
Anatomy.
Introduction
This document contains the fully updated Certified Coding Associate (CCA®) exam questions and
answers for the 2025/2026 testing cycle. All answers are verified as correct, with detailed rationales
aligned with ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT/HCPCS Level II coding guidelines, HIPAA compliance rules,
AHIMA best practices, and real-world healthcare scenarios.
Answer Format
Each question is directly followed by the correct answer in bold green, supported by a clear
explanation, applicable coding guidelines, and reference points from authoritative sources such as the
Official Coding Guidelines and AHIMA standards.
CCA® Exam | 2025/2026 | Complete Q&A | Certified, Graded A+, and Ready for Exam Success
1. What is the correct ICD-10-CM code for type 2 diabetes mellitus without
complications?
a) E11.9
b) E10.9
c) E11.8
d) E13.9
a) E11.9
Rationale: E11.9 is the ICD-10-CM code for type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications, per
ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines (Section I.C.4).
Domain: Clinical Classification Systems
Example: Coding type 2 diabetes for a patient with no documented complications during a routine visit.
Test-Taking Tip: Recall that E11 codes are specific to type 2 diabetes.
2. What is the purpose of a chargemaster in a healthcare facility?
a) To document clinical procedures
b) To list standardized billing codes and charges
c) To manage patient scheduling
d) To train clinical staff
b) To list standardized billing codes and charges
Rationale: The chargemaster lists standardized billing codes and charges for services, per CMS
guidelines.
,Domain: Reimbursement Methodologies
Example: Using the chargemaster to assign CPT codes for hospital procedures.
Test-Taking Tip: Focus on the chargemaster’s role in billing.
3. What is the correct CPT code for an appendectomy, open?
a) 44950
b) 44960
c) 44970
d) 44979
a) 44950
Rationale: CPT code 44950 is for an open appendectomy, per AMA CPT Guidelines.
Domain: Clinical Classification Systems
Example: Coding an open appendectomy for a patient with acute appendicitis.
Test-Taking Tip: Recall that 44950 is for open appendectomy.
4. Under HIPAA, what is the minimum necessary standard?
a) Releasing all patient data to authorized users
b) Limiting PHI disclosure to what is needed
c) Encrypting all patient records
d) Auditing all EHR access
b) Limiting PHI disclosure to what is needed
Rationale: The minimum necessary standard limits PHI disclosure to what is required for the purpose,
per HIPAA (45 CFR §164.502(b)).
Domain: Confidentiality & Privacy
Example: Sharing only relevant lab results with a consulting physician.
Test-Taking Tip: Focus on limiting PHI disclosure.
5. What is the correct ICD-10-PCS code for a cesarean section, low cervical?
a) 10D00Z0
b) 10D00Z1
c) 10D00Z2
d) 10D07Z6
b) 10D00Z1
Rationale: 10D00Z1 is the ICD-10-PCS code for a low cervical cesarean section, per ICD-10-PCS
Guidelines (Section 0, Obstetrics).
Domain: Clinical Classification Systems
Example: Coding a cesarean delivery for a patient with obstructed labor.
Test-Taking Tip: Recall that 10D codes are for obstetrics procedures.
6. What does the acronym DRG stand for in reimbursement?
a) Diagnosis-Related Group
b) Diagnostic Radiology Group
c) Data Reporting Guidelines
d) Discharge Review Group
a) Diagnosis-Related Group
Rationale: DRG stands for Diagnosis-Related Group, used for inpatient reimbursement under CMS IPPS.
Domain: Reimbursement Methodologies
Example: Assigning a DRG for a patient admitted with pneumonia.
Test-Taking Tip: DRG is a key reimbursement term.
, 7. What is the correct HCPCS Level II code for a walker, folding?
a) E0130
b) E0135
c) E0140
d) E0143
b) E0135
Rationale: E0135 is the HCPCS Level II code for a folding walker, per CMS HCPCS Guidelines.
Domain: Clinical Classification Systems
Example: Coding a folding walker for a patient with mobility issues.
Test-Taking Tip: Recall that E codes are for durable medical equipment.
8. What is the purpose of a release of information (ROI) form?
a) To bill insurance companies
b) To authorize disclosure of PHI
c) To document clinical procedures
d) To schedule patient appointments
b) To authorize disclosure of PHI
Rationale: An ROI form authorizes the disclosure of PHI, per HIPAA (45 CFR §164.508).
Domain: Confidentiality & Privacy
Example: A patient signing an ROI to share records with a specialist.
Test-Taking Tip: Focus on PHI authorization.
9. What is the correct ICD-10-CM code for acute bronchitis, unspecified?
a) J20.9
b) J40
c) J21.9
d) J22
a) J20.9
Rationale: J20.9 is the ICD-10-CM code for acute bronchitis, unspecified, per ICD-10-CM Guidelines.
Domain: Clinical Classification Systems
Example: Coding acute bronchitis for a patient with cough and fever.
Test-Taking Tip: Recall that J20 codes are for acute bronchitis.
10. What is the role of a query in medical coding?
a) To schedule patient procedures
b) To clarify documentation for accurate coding
c) To audit hospital finances
d) To train clinical staff
b) To clarify documentation for accurate coding
Rationale: Queries clarify provider documentation to ensure accurate coding, per AHIMA Coding
Guidelines.
Domain: Health Records and Data Content
Example: Querying a physician to confirm a diagnosis for coding specificity.
Test-Taking Tip: Focus on documentation clarification.
11. What is the correct CPT code for a colonoscopy, diagnostic?
a) 45378
b) 45380
c) 45384
d) 45385
Certified Questions and Correct Verified Answers |
2025/2026 Edition
Comprehensive AHIMA CCA® Exam Review | 2025/2026 Updated Edition | Includes the complete set of
actual exam-style questions with correct, verified answers and in-depth explanations | Covers all CCA®
exam domains: Clinical Classification Systems, Reimbursement Methodologies, Health Records and Data
Content, Compliance, Information Technologies, Confidentiality & Privacy, and Medical Terminology &
Anatomy.
Introduction
This document contains the fully updated Certified Coding Associate (CCA®) exam questions and
answers for the 2025/2026 testing cycle. All answers are verified as correct, with detailed rationales
aligned with ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT/HCPCS Level II coding guidelines, HIPAA compliance rules,
AHIMA best practices, and real-world healthcare scenarios.
Answer Format
Each question is directly followed by the correct answer in bold green, supported by a clear
explanation, applicable coding guidelines, and reference points from authoritative sources such as the
Official Coding Guidelines and AHIMA standards.
CCA® Exam | 2025/2026 | Complete Q&A | Certified, Graded A+, and Ready for Exam Success
1. What is the correct ICD-10-CM code for type 2 diabetes mellitus without
complications?
a) E11.9
b) E10.9
c) E11.8
d) E13.9
a) E11.9
Rationale: E11.9 is the ICD-10-CM code for type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications, per
ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines (Section I.C.4).
Domain: Clinical Classification Systems
Example: Coding type 2 diabetes for a patient with no documented complications during a routine visit.
Test-Taking Tip: Recall that E11 codes are specific to type 2 diabetes.
2. What is the purpose of a chargemaster in a healthcare facility?
a) To document clinical procedures
b) To list standardized billing codes and charges
c) To manage patient scheduling
d) To train clinical staff
b) To list standardized billing codes and charges
Rationale: The chargemaster lists standardized billing codes and charges for services, per CMS
guidelines.
,Domain: Reimbursement Methodologies
Example: Using the chargemaster to assign CPT codes for hospital procedures.
Test-Taking Tip: Focus on the chargemaster’s role in billing.
3. What is the correct CPT code for an appendectomy, open?
a) 44950
b) 44960
c) 44970
d) 44979
a) 44950
Rationale: CPT code 44950 is for an open appendectomy, per AMA CPT Guidelines.
Domain: Clinical Classification Systems
Example: Coding an open appendectomy for a patient with acute appendicitis.
Test-Taking Tip: Recall that 44950 is for open appendectomy.
4. Under HIPAA, what is the minimum necessary standard?
a) Releasing all patient data to authorized users
b) Limiting PHI disclosure to what is needed
c) Encrypting all patient records
d) Auditing all EHR access
b) Limiting PHI disclosure to what is needed
Rationale: The minimum necessary standard limits PHI disclosure to what is required for the purpose,
per HIPAA (45 CFR §164.502(b)).
Domain: Confidentiality & Privacy
Example: Sharing only relevant lab results with a consulting physician.
Test-Taking Tip: Focus on limiting PHI disclosure.
5. What is the correct ICD-10-PCS code for a cesarean section, low cervical?
a) 10D00Z0
b) 10D00Z1
c) 10D00Z2
d) 10D07Z6
b) 10D00Z1
Rationale: 10D00Z1 is the ICD-10-PCS code for a low cervical cesarean section, per ICD-10-PCS
Guidelines (Section 0, Obstetrics).
Domain: Clinical Classification Systems
Example: Coding a cesarean delivery for a patient with obstructed labor.
Test-Taking Tip: Recall that 10D codes are for obstetrics procedures.
6. What does the acronym DRG stand for in reimbursement?
a) Diagnosis-Related Group
b) Diagnostic Radiology Group
c) Data Reporting Guidelines
d) Discharge Review Group
a) Diagnosis-Related Group
Rationale: DRG stands for Diagnosis-Related Group, used for inpatient reimbursement under CMS IPPS.
Domain: Reimbursement Methodologies
Example: Assigning a DRG for a patient admitted with pneumonia.
Test-Taking Tip: DRG is a key reimbursement term.
, 7. What is the correct HCPCS Level II code for a walker, folding?
a) E0130
b) E0135
c) E0140
d) E0143
b) E0135
Rationale: E0135 is the HCPCS Level II code for a folding walker, per CMS HCPCS Guidelines.
Domain: Clinical Classification Systems
Example: Coding a folding walker for a patient with mobility issues.
Test-Taking Tip: Recall that E codes are for durable medical equipment.
8. What is the purpose of a release of information (ROI) form?
a) To bill insurance companies
b) To authorize disclosure of PHI
c) To document clinical procedures
d) To schedule patient appointments
b) To authorize disclosure of PHI
Rationale: An ROI form authorizes the disclosure of PHI, per HIPAA (45 CFR §164.508).
Domain: Confidentiality & Privacy
Example: A patient signing an ROI to share records with a specialist.
Test-Taking Tip: Focus on PHI authorization.
9. What is the correct ICD-10-CM code for acute bronchitis, unspecified?
a) J20.9
b) J40
c) J21.9
d) J22
a) J20.9
Rationale: J20.9 is the ICD-10-CM code for acute bronchitis, unspecified, per ICD-10-CM Guidelines.
Domain: Clinical Classification Systems
Example: Coding acute bronchitis for a patient with cough and fever.
Test-Taking Tip: Recall that J20 codes are for acute bronchitis.
10. What is the role of a query in medical coding?
a) To schedule patient procedures
b) To clarify documentation for accurate coding
c) To audit hospital finances
d) To train clinical staff
b) To clarify documentation for accurate coding
Rationale: Queries clarify provider documentation to ensure accurate coding, per AHIMA Coding
Guidelines.
Domain: Health Records and Data Content
Example: Querying a physician to confirm a diagnosis for coding specificity.
Test-Taking Tip: Focus on documentation clarification.
11. What is the correct CPT code for a colonoscopy, diagnostic?
a) 45378
b) 45380
c) 45384
d) 45385
