RCC ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding for Radiology 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a radiology study is ordered to rule out a suspected condition and findings are negative, what should the coder report?
- The suspected diagnosis
- The sign or symptom prompting the study (Correct answer)
- The negative result code
- No diagnosis code
Correct answer: The sign or symptom prompting the study
For outpatient/radiology services with ruled-out conditions, code the sign or symptom rather than the suspected diagnosis.
Question 2: Which ICD-10-CM chapter contains codes for fractures?
- Chapter 13 – Musculoskeletal
- Chapter 19 – Injury, Poisoning & External Causes (Correct answer)
- Chapter 1 – Infectious Diseases
- Chapter 21 – Factors Influencing Health
Correct answer: Chapter 19 – Injury, Poisoning & External Causes
Traumatic fractures are classified in ICD-10-CM Chapter 19, covering injuries and external causes.
Question 3: What does the 7th character 'A' indicate in an ICD-10-CM fracture code?
- Subsequent encounter
- Initial encounter for active treatment (Correct answer)
- Sequela
- Delayed healing
Correct answer: Initial encounter for active treatment
The 7th character 'A' designates the initial encounter, used while the patient is receiving active treatment.
Question 4: A chest X-ray is ordered for cough. The report shows pneumonia. Which diagnosis code is reported for radiology billing?
- Cough (R05.9)
- Pneumonia (J18.9) (Correct answer)
- Both cough and pneumonia
- No code needed
Correct answer: Pneumonia (J18.9)
When a definitive diagnosis is established from imaging, code the confirmed diagnosis rather than the symptom.
Question 5: Which ICD-10-CM code category is used for encounters for screening examinations?
- Z00–Z99 (Correct answer)
- R00–R99
- C00–C99
- M00–M99
Correct answer: Z00–Z99
ICD-10-CM Z codes (Chapter 21) capture screening examinations and preventive health encounters.
Question 6: Which guideline applies when a patient has a malignancy as the reason for a radiology study?
- Code only the primary site
- Code the malignancy as the first-listed diagnosis (Correct answer)
- Code Z12 screening codes only
- Always code metastasis first
Correct answer: Code the malignancy as the first-listed diagnosis
When radiology is performed due to a malignancy, the cancer code is listed as the principal/first-listed diagnosis.
RCC ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding for Radiology 1
When a radiology study is ordered to rule out a suspected condition and findings are negative, what should the coder report?