AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC) CPC Exam Practice Test

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Total 100 questions
Question 1

View MR 005398

MR 005398

Operative Report

Preoperative Diagnosis: Nonfunctioning right kidney with ureteral stricture.

Postoperative Diagnosis: Nonfunctioning right kidney with ureteral stricture.

Procedure: Right nephrectomy with partial ureterectomy.

Findings and Procedure: Under satisfactory general anesthesia, the patient was placed in the right flank position. Right flank and abdomen were prepared and draped out of the sterile field. Skin incision was made between the 11th and 12th ribs laterally. The incision was carried down through the underlying subcutaneous tissues, muscles, and fasci

a. The right retroperitoneal space was entered. Using blunt and sharp dissection, the right kidney was freed circumferentially. The right artery, vein, and ureter were identified. The ureter was dissected downward where it is completely obstructed in its distal extent. The ureter was clipped and divided distally. The right renal artery was then isolated and divided between 0 silk suture ligatures. The right renal vein was also ligated with suture ligatures and 0 silk ties. The right kidney and ureter were then submitted for pathologic evaluation. The operative field was inspected, and there was no residual bleeding noted, and then it was carefully irrigated with sterile water. Wound closure was then undertaken using 0 Vicryl for the fascial layers, 0 Vicryl for the muscular layers, 2-0 chromic for subcutaneous tissue, and clips for the skin. A Penrose drain was brought out through the dependent aspect of the incision. The patient lost minimal blood and tolerated the procedure well.

What CPT coding is reported for this case?



Answer : B

The procedure involves a right nephrectomy with partial ureterectomy for a nonfunctioning right kidney with ureteral stricture.

Procedure Description:

Right nephrectomy (removal of the kidney).

Partial ureterectomy (removal of part of the ureter).

CPT Coding:

50220: Nephrectomy, including partial ureterectomy, any open approach.


AMA's CPT Professional Edition (current year).

CPT Assistant for detailed coding guidelines on nephrectomy procedures.

Question 2

A business requires drug testing for cocaine and methamphetamines prior to hiring a job candidate. A single analysis with direct optical observation is performed, followed by a confirmation for cocaine.

Which codes are used for reporting the testing and confirmation?



Answer : C

For drug testing for cocaine and methamphetamines with a single analysis using direct optical observation and a subsequent confirmation for cocaine, the appropriate codes are:

80305 for the initial drug test (presumptive).

80353 for the confirmation test of cocaine.


AMA's CPT Professional Edition (current year)

Question 3

A 60-year-old male suffering from degenerative disc disease at the L3-L4 and L5-S1 levels was placed under general anesthesi

a. Using an anterior approach, the L3-L4 disc space was exposed. Using blunt dissection, the disc space was cleaned. The disc space was then sized and trialed. Excellent placement and insertion of the artificial disc at L3-L4 was noted. The area was inspected and there was no compression of any nerve roots. Same procedure was performed on L5-S1 level. Peritoneum was then allowed to return to normal anatomic position and entire area was copiously irrigated. The wound was closed in a layered fashion. The patient tolerated the discectomy and arthroplasty well and was returned to recovery in good condition. What CPT coding is reported for this procedure?



Answer : A

This scenario describes an anterior discectomy and arthroplasty at two levels (L3-L4 and L5-S1) using artificial discs. CPT code 22857 describes total disc arthroplasty (artificial disc), anterior approach, including discectomy to prepare interspace (other than for decompression), single interspace, lumbar. Since the procedure was performed at two levels, the code should be reported twice.


AMA's CPT Professional Edition (current year), Code 22857

Question 4

A patient who has colon adenocarcinoma undergoes a laparoscopic partial colectomy. The surgeon removes the proximal colon and terminal ileum and reconnects the cut ends of the distal ileum and remaining colon.

What procedure and diagnosis codes are reported?



Answer : A

The procedure involves a laparoscopic partial colectomy where the surgeon removes the proximal colon and terminal ileum, then reconnects the cut ends of the distal ileum and remaining colon.

Procedure Description:

Laparoscopic partial colectomy.

Removal of the proximal colon and terminal ileum.

Anastomosis of the distal ileum and remaining colon.

CPT Coding:

44204: Laparoscopy, surgical; colectomy, partial, with anastomosis.

ICD-10-CM Coding:

C18.2: Malignant neoplasm of ascending colon.


AMA's CPT Professional Edition (current year).

ICD-10-CM for corresponding diagnosis codes.

Question 5

The human shoulder is made of which three bones?



Answer : D

The human shoulder is composed of three main bones: the clavicle (collarbone), scapula (shoulder blade), and humerus (upper arm bone). These bones form the shoulder joint, which is one of the most flexible and mobile joints in the human body, allowing for a wide range of motion. Reference: AMA's CPT Professional Edition (current year), Musculoskeletal System section.


Question 6

A cardiologist attempted to perform a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of a totally occluded blood vessel. The surgeon stopped the procedure because of an anatomical problem creating risk for the patient and preventing performance of the catheterization.

What modifier is appended to the procedure code?



Answer : B

Modifier 53 is used to report a discontinued procedure. It indicates that a procedure was started but terminated due to the patient's well-being being at risk. In this scenario, the percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was attempted but stopped because of an anatomical problem that created a risk for the patient, preventing the completion of the procedure. Reference: AMA's CPT Professional Edition, coding guidelines on the use of modifiers.


Question 7

Mr. Woolridge has had a suspicious lesion on his left shoulder for approximately eight weeks that is not healing. On the dermatologist's exam of left shoulder blade, there is excoriation and scabbing and the lesion not healing. Patient agrees and wishes to proceed with a punch biopsy of the lesion. A punch biopsy is taken of the lesion and sent to pathology. A simple repair is performed at the biopsy site.

What CPT and ICD-10-CM codes are reported?



Answer : A

CPT code 11102 is for punch biopsy of skin, including simple closure. CPT code 12001-51 is for simple repair of superficial wounds, with modifier 51 indicating multiple procedures. ICD-10-CM code D49.2 is used for a neoplasm of unspecified behavior of the bone, soft tissue, and skin. This coding accurately reflects the punch biopsy and simple repair performed on the lesion. Reference: AMA's CPT Professional Edition (current year), ICD-10-CM (current year)


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Total 100 questions