CPCA ICD-10-CM Coding for Skin Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient is admitted for treatment of a stage 2 pressure ulcer on the right heel that progresses to a stage 3 during the inpatient stay. How should this be coded according to ICD-10-CM guidelines?

Accepted Answer

Assign two codes: one for the stage 2 ulcer on admission and one for the stage 3 ulcer.

Answer

Code only the highest stage (stage 3) for the right heel.

Answer

Report the code for a stage 2 pressure ulcer as this was the condition at admission.

Answer

Query the provider to determine which stage is more clinically significant.

Question 2

A patient presents with a painful, fluctuant, 2 cm cutaneous abscess on the right buttock and surrounding erythema. The physician performs an incision and drainage. Which of the following is the correct ICD-10-CM code for this diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

L02.31 - Cutaneous abscess of buttock

Answer

L03.314 - Cellulitis of right buttock

Answer

R59.9 - Enlarged lymph nodes, unspecified

Answer

L08.9 - Local infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, unspecified

Question 3

A patient is treated for second-degree burns on the entire front of their torso and third-degree burns on their entire right arm. Using the 'Rule of Nines,' what is the total body surface area (TBSA) affected, and which T31 category would be appropriate to report in addition to the site-specific burn codes?

Accepted Answer

TBSA is 27%, report T31.21

Answer

TBSA is 18%, report T31.10

Answer

TBSA is 36%, report T31.30

Answer

TBSA is 45%, report T31.42

Question 4

Which of the following situations would warrant the use of a code for an unstageable pressure ulcer (e.g., L89.150)?

Accepted Answer

The base of the ulcer is covered by slough and eschar, obscuring the full depth.

Answer

The nurse's notes do not specify the stage of the pressure ulcer.

Answer

The pressure ulcer is a suspected deep tissue injury with purple discoloration.

Answer

The pressure ulcer is documented as a stage 1 with non-blanchable erythema.

Question 5

A patient undergoes an excision of a skin lesion from their back. The pathology report is not yet available. How should the diagnosis be coded pending the pathology results?

Accepted Answer

D49.2, Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of skin

Answer

L98.9, Disorder of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, unspecified

Answer

C44.509, Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of trunk

Answer

D23.5, Other benign neoplasm of skin of trunk

Question 6

A patient is diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis of the hands due to exposure to latex gloves. Which of the following ICD-10-CM codes would be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

L25.9 - Unspecified contact dermatitis, unspecified cause

Answer

L24.0 - Irritant contact dermatitis due to detergents

Answer

L27.2 - Dermatitis due to ingested food

Answer

L23.7 - Allergic contact dermatitis due to plants, except food

A patient is admitted for treatment of a stage 2 pressure ulcer on the right heel that progresses to a stage 3 during the inpatient stay.How should this be coded according to ICD-10-CM guidelines?

A patient is admitted for treatment of a stage 2 pressure ulcer on the right heel that progresses to a stage 3 during the inpatient stay.
How should this be coded according to ICD-10-CM guidelines?