AAPC CPC - Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Exam

Lesion excision codes in the CPT® codebook include the removal of the lesion along with the necessary margins and a simple (nonlayered) closure when performed. These codes do not cover intermediate or complex closures, which are reported separately if performed. The measurement for selecting the appropriate lesion excision code includes the lesion and the margins required for complete excision.

AMA ' s CPT® Professional Edition, lesion excision guidelines.

1. Procedure Type: This scenario describes a secondary repair of two extensor tendons in the wrist with a free graft. According to CPT® coding guidelines, the secondary repair with a free graft suggests a more complex repair than primary closure.

2. CPT® Code Selection:

Code 25270 is used for a primary repair of an extensor tendon in the forearm or wrist. Since this is a secondary repair, 25270 does not apply, ruling out options A and C.

Code 25272 represents the repair of a single extensor tendon in the forearm or wrist, which includes both primary and secondary repairs. However, it does not involve free grafts, ruling out option D.

Code 25274 specifically addresses the secondary repair of an extensor tendon with free graft in the forearm or wrist, which is the correct scenario described in the question.

3. Applying the Code for Multiple Tendons:

Since the procedure involves two tendons, 25274 should be reported twice (25274 x 2) to account for the secondary repair on each tendon individually.

4. Reference from AAPC CPC Guidelines:

In AAPC CPC and CPT® coding principles, tendon repair codes require careful distinction between primary repairs and secondary repairs with grafts. The guidelines specify that multiple tendons should be coded with individual codes when performed on separate anatomical structures, hence the use of 25274 twice for both tendons.

Therefore, the verified and precise answer based on CPT® guidelines and AAPC coding standards is B. 25274 x 2.

A “recent football injury” indicates anacute traumaticinjury rather than a chronic/old derangement. Acute meniscus tears are coded from theS83.2-category (tear of meniscus, current injury), not theM23.-category (derangement of meniscus due to old tear or injury). The question specifiesmedial meniscus,left knee, and implies aninitial encounterfor the acute injury, so the correct code must include laterality and the 7th characterAfor initial encounter.S83.232Acorresponds to acurrent tear of the medial meniscus, left knee, initial encounter.S83.242Ais a different meniscus specification (not medial).M23.202/M23.204are derangement codes typically used forold tearsor chronic conditions, not an acute recent sports injury. CPC exam tip: “recent injury” →S-codes, “old tear/derangement” →M23. Mnemonic:S = Sudden (acute),M = Mature (old/chronic).

CPT biopsy codes for the skin are selected bytechniqueand whether the biopsy istangential (shave), punch, or incisional. In this scenario, three different biopsy techniques are performed onthree separate lesions: anincisional biopsyof a deep lesion (upper arm), apunch biopsy(forearm), and ashave biopsy(shoulder). The correct primary codes are11106(incisional biopsy, single lesion),11104(punch biopsy, single lesion), and11102(tangential/shave biopsy, single lesion). Because each is a distinct lesion and a distinct technique, CPT coding uses the appropriatebase codesfor each technique rather than “add-on additional lesion” codes, and you do not automatically apply modifier-51in CPT-answer logic unless the question specifically tests payer/claim-processing conventions. The CPC exam typically expects the straightforward reporting of all three correct biopsy codes when performed on separate lesions with separate specimens submitted. Therefore, optionBis the best match.

To accurately code a pressure ulcer in ICD-10-CM, the code must reflect the ulcer ' s location and stage. The codes for pressure ulcers specify both the anatomical site and the stage (extent of tissue damage).

L89.613 represents a pressure ulcer on the right heel at stage 3. The stage is critical as it indicates the severity of the ulcer, with stage 3 involving full-thickness skin loss and possibly visible subcutaneous tissue.

A. L89.609 refers to a pressure ulcer on the heel but without specific staging.

C. L89.619 is for a pressure ulcer on the right heel at stage 4, which indicates a more severe level of tissue damage than stage 3.

D. L89.603 represents a stage 3 pressure ulcer but on the left heel, not the right.

Therefore, the correct answer is B. L89.613 for a stage 3 pressure ulcer on the right heel.

Breaking down the term:

Cyst/o = bladder

Proct/o = rectum

-stomy = creation of an opening

Cystoproctostomy is the surgical creation of an opening between the bladder and the rectum.

The other options involve different organs:

Gastroenterocolostomy – stomach to intestine

Colocholecystostomy – colon to gallbladder

Nephropyelostomy – kidney to renal pelvis

K0001 = Standard wheelchair

Other K000 codes represent specialized wheelchairs

The CPT code 12002 is used for simple repair of superficial wounds of 2.5 cm or less. This code includes the repair of both the 3 cm laceration on the right arm and the 2 cm laceration on the nose as both are simple repairs. The other options suggest more complex repairs or multiple separate procedures, which are not necessary in this scenario.

AMA ' s CPT® Professional Edition (current year)

In CPT, a code labeled“separate procedure”is typically a service that isnormally includedas part of a more comprehensive procedure andshould not be reported separatelywhen performed as an integral component. However, itmaybe reported when performedindependentlyorunrelatedto the primary procedure—this supports options A, B, and C as true. The false statement isDbecause CPT doesnotinstruct that modifier79is specifically required to report a separate procedure with an unrelated primary service. Modifier selection depends on the actual circumstances and payer rules, and “separate procedure” logic is about whether the service isdistinct and not integral, often supported by documentation of a different site/session or separate clinical intent; when a modifier is needed, it is commonly adistinct procedural servicemodifier (e.g., 59 or X{EPSU}) rather than automatically 79. Modifier79is a global surgery modifier used for anunrelated procedure during the postoperative period, which is a different concept than “separate procedure” designation.

Procedure Coding (CPT®):

59821 – Induced abortion, by vaginal suppository, amniotic fluid injection, or other medical means

Used for fetal demise at ≥14 weeks gestation

Labor was medically induced and fetus delivered

Diagnosis Coding (ICD-10-CM):

O36.4XX0 – Maternal care for intrauterine death, not applicable or unspecified

Correct maternal record diagnosis

Z3A.19 – 19 weeks gestation

Required per ICD-10-CM guidelines for obstetric encounters

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A / D – ICD-9 code (002.1) is invalid

C – Missing required gestational age code