AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC) CPC Exam Questions

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Total 354 questions
Question 1

The patient, who is at 32 weeks pregnant, has been hospitalized due to an infection of COVID-19.

What ICD-10-CM codes are reported?



Answer : A

Pregnancy guidelines require O codes first.

O98.513 = COVID-19 infection complicating pregnancy, third trimester

U07.1 = COVID-19

Z3A.32 = 32 weeks gestation

Symptoms (SOB, fever) are not coded separately when integral to COVID-19.

Correct sequencing makes A correct.


Question 2

A three-year-old patient is in the operative suite for stage 2 of treatment for double right outlet syndrome. The patient previously had the pulmonary artery banded and is returning for removal of

the pulmonary band and transposition repair of the great vessels via aortic pulmonary reconstruction.

The surgeon performs a time-out and pre-incision review of respiration and BP then the previous sternal incision site is inspected and lightly painted with povidone. Next, reopens the sternal

cavity and inserts central cannulae in the IVC, SVC and ascending aorta for extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) bypass, chemical cardioplegia is initiated, stopping the heart and

ECMO is initiated. A physician assistant monitors vitals and oxygenation until heart function resumes. The surgeon carefully incised and removes the Dacron band encircling the pulmonary

artery, with nominal need for dilation. A section of coronary ostia is removed and sutured to the root of the pulmonary trunk. The pulmonary trunk and aortic root are then transected and

transposed to allow for ideal cardiac circulation. Once structural integrity is visually confirmed, the physician assistant is permitted to administer the cardioplegia reversal solution and the

surgeon removes the central cannulae after heart function safely resumes. The sternotomy is closed and the patient is transported to the NICU.

What CPT codes are reported for the surgery today?



Answer : C

1. Procedure Details and CPT Code Selection:

The patient is undergoing stage 2 treatment for double outlet right ventricle (DORV) with a removal of the pulmonary artery band and transposition repair of the great vessels.

Code 33779 is specific for correction of a double outlet right ventricle, with transposition of the great arteries. This code accurately reflects the procedure performed, including the complex repair involving the transposition of the pulmonary trunk and aortic root.

Code 33953 is used to report the initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which was used to maintain oxygenation during the procedure.

Code 33985 is for the termination of ECMO following the surgical repair once heart function has resumed. Both 33953 and 33985 accurately document the initiation and termination of ECMO during this complex heart repair.

2. Modifier Selection:

Modifier 78 (unplanned return to the operating room for a related procedure during the postoperative period) is appropriate here. This is a subsequent stage in the treatment plan, but due to the complexity and specific surgical intervention required, it is treated as a return to the OR for related procedure coding.

Modifier 58 (staged or related procedure during the postoperative period) would not be as suitable here because the procedure involves a new return to the OR.

3. AAPC and CPT Coding Guidelines:

AAPC guidelines support the use of specific modifiers (78 for unplanned return) and appropriate ECMO codes (33953 and 33985) in complex cardiac cases requiring bypass and staged treatment.

Thus, the correct CPT codes based on CPT and AAPC coding standards are C. 33779-78, 33953-78, 33985-78.


Question 3

A mother brings her 2-year-old son to the pediatrician's office because he stuck a bead up his left nostril. The pediatrician uses a nasal decongestant to open the blocked nostril and removes the bead with nasal forceps.

What CPT coding is reported?



Answer : C

Removal of a foreign body from the nose using forceps or other instrumentation is coded with CPT 30300. This code includes the use of local anesthesia, which aligns with the scenario where a nasal decongestant was used.


AMA's CPT Professional Edition (current year)

Question 4

A 23-year-old receives MMR and Hepatitis B vaccines without counseling.

What CPT codes are reported?



Answer : A

90471/90472 = Administration without counseling

90707 = MMR

90746 = Hepatitis B, adult


Question 5

What is the medical term for a procedure that creates a connection between the gallbladder and the small intestine?



Answer : D

Cholecyst- = gallbladder

Entero- = intestine

-ostomy = creation of an opening

Cholecystenterostomy is the correct term for surgically creating a connection between the gallbladder and the intestine.

This aligns with surgical terminology commonly tested in the CPT digestive system section (40000--49999).


Question 6

A patient is diagnosed with compression fractures of the C6, C7 and T1 vertebrae. The patient agrees to have vertebroplasty. Bone cement is injected in the vertebral space until each of the two whole vertebral body is filled. The procedure is performed bilaterally.

What CPT coding is reported?



Answer : B

1. Procedure Type and CPT Code Selection:

The physician performed an injection into the wrist joint for degenerative osteoarthritis management using Synvisc (a viscosupplementation product).

Code 20606 is the correct CPT code for an arthrocentesis, aspiration, and/or injection procedure in an intermediate joint, such as the wrist. This code specifically includes the use of ultrasound guidance, which is often standard in such injections.

Code 20551 (injection of a single tendon origin) and 20526 (injection into a carpal tunnel) are incorrect here as they do not apply to intra-articular injections for joint osteoarthritis management.

2. Diagnosis Code Selection (ICD-10-CM):

The diagnosis is degenerative osteoarthritis in the right wrist.

ICD-10-CM Code M19.231 is used for primary osteoarthritis of the right wrist. This code directly reflects the diagnosis of primary osteoarthritis affecting this specific joint.

M19.031 would represent primary osteoarthritis in the wrist but does not specify laterality; therefore, it is less accurate than M19.231, which denotes the right wrist.

3. Summary of Code Application:

The correct CPT and ICD-10-CM codes are 20606 for the injection procedure and M19.231 for primary osteoarthritis of the right wrist.

4. AAPC and CPT Coding Guidelines:

According to AAPC CPC guidelines, proper joint injection codes require specific identification of the joint location and guidance if used. Additionally, selecting the most specific ICD-10-CM code for laterality is essential for accuracy in musculoskeletal diagnoses.

Thus, based on CPT and ICD-10-CM coding guidelines, the verified answer is B. 20606, M19.231.


Question 7

A surgeon removes the right and left fallopian tubes and the left ovary via an abdominal incision. How is this reported?



Answer : A

Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: This involves the removal of both fallopian tubes and ovaries.

Right and left fallopian tubes: Both fallopian tubes are removed.

Left ovary: Only the left ovary is removed.

Abdominal incision: The procedure is performed via an abdominal approach.

58720: Salpingo-oophorectomy, complete or partial, unilateral or bilateral (separate procedure).

The procedure involves the removal of both fallopian tubes and one ovary, making 58720 the appropriate code.


AMA's CPT Professional Edition (current year)

ICD-10-CM (current year), HCPCS Level II (current year)

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