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Medical Terminology & Coding Guidelines Flashcards

9 cards from real AAPC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. What does the prefix 'hyper-' mean in medical terminology?

    Answer: Excessive or above normal

    In medical terminology, the prefix 'hyper-' consistently indicates something that is excessive, above normal, or increased. For example, 'hypertension' refers to abnormally high blood pressure, and 'hyperglycemia' means an excessive amount of glucose in the blood. Understanding this prefix helps in deciphering the meaning of many medical terms.

  2. What does the suffix '-itis' indicate?

    Answer: Inflammation

    The suffix '-itis' refers to inflammation of a particular organ or tissue.

  3. Which abbreviation stands for 'as needed' in medical instructions?

    Answer: PRN

    'PRN' is the standard medical abbreviation for 'as needed'.

  4. What does 'ICD-10-CM' stand for?

    Answer: International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification

    ICD-10-CM stands for International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification, used for coding diagnoses.

  5. What is the purpose of CPT codes?

    Answer: To describe healthcare services provided

    CPT codes are used to describe medical, surgical, and diagnostic services for billing and documentation purposes.

  6. What does the term 'comorbidity' mean?

    Answer: A co-existing condition alongside a primary diagnosis

    Comorbidity refers to the presence of one or more additional conditions occurring with a primary condition.

  7. Which coding system is primarily used for outpatient procedures?

    Answer: CPT

    CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes are mainly used to report outpatient and office procedures.

  8. In medical coding, what does 'upcoding' mean?

    Answer: Using a higher-paying code fraudulently

    Upcoding refers to the fraudulent practice of using a code that provides a higher reimbursement than the actual service performed.

  9. Which guideline emphasizes coding only the conditions that affect patient care?

    Answer: Only conditions treated or addressed during the encounter are coded

    The coding guideline to report only those conditions that affect the current encounter and patient care ensures appropriate and ethical coding.