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CPT Coding Practice Questions

1. During the surgical session, the pathologist received and performed analyses on three separate
biopsies from the vaginal wall and one from the cervix. How should the surgical pathologist code
for this service?

A. 88305, 88307 B. 88305 (X3) C. 88305 (X4) D. 88305 (X3), 88307

2. A 20-month-old with end-stage renal disease was receiving dialysis twice a week, awaiting a
kidney transplant. During the last month of life, the patient received dialysis once per day.
Dialysis was administered between June 1 and June 14. The patient's parents received daily face-
to-face counseling regarding the patient's care and ESRD status. What is the correct code for the
patient's dialysis care?

A. 90968 (X14) B. 90960 C. 90967 (X14) D. 90964

3. A 32-year-old woman with repeat urinary tract infections presented to the office with painful
urination. Suspecting another UTI, the physician sent a urine sample to the lab to identify the
bacteria causing the infection. The physician's office billed for the laboratory service themselves,
even though they sent the sample to an outside lab for the test. What modifier is appropriate in
this case?

A. Modifier -99 B. Modifier -90 C. Modifier -52 D. No modifier would be

necessary

4. A physician took an impression of a 47-year-old woman's left orbital socket and created a
custom prosthesis. What is the correct code for this service?

A. 21076 B. 21089 -LT C. 21088 -LT D. 21077 –LT

5. A forensic pathologist performed a gross post-mortem examination on a stillborn infant. The

exam included the infant's brain, but did not include the infant's spinal cord. How should the
pathologist code for this service?

A. 88005 B. 88012 C. 88025 D. 88014

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6. The physician ordered tests to evaluate a three-year-old patient for cystic fibrosis. The test
results came back as suspicious so the physician ordered additional tests to confirm the
diagnosis. The physician ordered his nurse to call the patient's parents to discuss the patient's
results and any other recommended tests. The phone conversation lasted 20 minutes during
which time the nurse scheduled a follow-up appointment for the next morning at 10:00 AM.
How should you report the telephone services for this phone call?

A. No telephone consultation service code should be reported B. 98967 C. 98968

D. 99442

7. What is the appropriate ICD-9 code for a diagnosis of a personal history of heart attacks?

A. V15.9 B. 412 C. V12.50 D. V17.3

8. A physician performed a lymphangiography with insertion of radioactive tracer for

identification of sentinel node. What is the correct code for this procedure?

A. 38790 -50, 75803 B. 38790, 75801 C. 38792 -50, 75803 D. 38792, 75801

9. Debbie has Type II diabetes, and has been working with her physician to develop diet and
exercise techniques that help control her symptoms. Today her doctor also put her on a new
medication, which may help control her blood sugar levels better. What is the correct ICD-9
code for Debbie's diabetes?

A. 250.0 B. 250.00 C. 250.02 D. 250.80

10. Dr. Brown, a dermatologist, opened and drained multiple complicated acne pustules and
comedones on a 19-year-old patient with severe acne. For one of the more complicated acne
pustules, Dr. Brown incised, drained, and marsupialized the acne cyst by suturing the right and
left sides, leaving the cyst open for drainage. What is the correct code for the procedure?
A. 10060 B. 10061, 10040 C. 10040 D. 10061

11. A 10-year-old boy was running through his house and ran into a sliding glass door, breaking
the glass and suffering severe lacerations on his trunk and arms and minor lacerations on his face
and legs. The emergency department physician performed the simple closure of one 2 cm
laceration on the boy's cheek and two 2.3 cm lacerations on the boy's left leg. The physician
performed the simple closure of one 4 cm laceration on the right arm and the layered closure of
two lacerations on the left arm, which were 1.5 and 3 cm, respectively. The physician treated the
5 cm laceration on the boy's chest, which required the removal of particulate glass and a single
layer closure. What are the correct codes for the wound repair performed by the emergency
department physician?
A. 12001, 12002 (X2), 12032 (X2) B. 12005, 12011-51, 12032-51 C. 12004, 12011-
51, 12032 (X2) D. 12004, 12011-51, 12034-51
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12. The lymphatic system contains four organs:

A. Spleen, tonsils, bone marrow, and thymus B. Spleen, Peyer's patches, and tonsils
C. Spleen, tonsils, Peyer's patches, and thymus D. Tonsils, Peyer's patches, thymus, and
bone marrow

13. What is the difference between biopsy codes located in the integumentary section and those
found in the musculoskeletal section?
A. The biopsy codes found in the integumentary section are only for codes related to
malignant neoplasms
B. There is no biopsy codes found in the musculoskeletal section
C. The codes in the musculoskeletal system include biopsies for bone only, whereas the
biopsy codes found in the integumentary section include codes for biopsies of subcutaneous
structures including bone
D. The biopsy codes found in the integumentary section are for biopsies of the skin and
subcutaneous structures whereas the biopsy codes found in the musculoskeletal section are for
deeper structures

14. The physician performed the excision of two 1.5 cm malignant lesions on a patient's upper
back. During the surgery, the physician noted four additional lesions, which looked to be pre-
malignant. These lesion excisions were 0.3, 0.7, 1.0, and 1.45 cm, respectively. The suspect
lesions were sent to pathology lab, where they were determined to be benign. What are the
appropriate codes for the service?
A. 11400 (X4), 11602 (X2) B. 11400, 11401 (X2), 11402 C. 11404, 11603 D.
11400, 11401 (X2), 11402, 11602 (X2)

15. Sylvia was seen in the office and was diagnosed with acute bronchitis with Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. What is the correct ICD-9 diagnosis code for her condition?
A. 466.0 B. 491.22 C. 466.0, 491.22 D. 491.21

16. A pediatric patient presented to the office with a severe asthma attack. The pediatrician
ordered a pulse oximetry to check the patient's blood oxygen saturation level and a spirometry to
evaluate her lung capacity. The physician interpreted the results and ordered an albuterol
nebulizer treatment and a post-spirometry to check the patient's responsiveness to the albuterol
treatment. What are the correct codes for this office visit?
A. 99214, 94060, 94760, 94640, A7015, A4616, J7630
B. 99214, 94010 (X2), 94760, 94640, A7015, A4616, J7630
C. 99214, 94060, 94640, A7015, A4616, J7630
D. 99214, 94010, 94760, 94640, A7015, A4616, J7630
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17. The patient returned to the office one month later for removal of cast on her left lower arm.
The original attending physician removed the cast. The physician also examined the arm and
determined that no further casting or follow-up was necessary. What is the appropriate code for
this service?

A. 25250 B. 99214 C. No code would be reported D. 29799

18. The respiratory system subsection in the CPT manual contains, but is not limited to
procedure codes for the following body areas:

A. Nose, mouth, and throat B. Nose, accessory sinuses, and trachea/bronchi

C. Accessory sinuses, mouth, and stomach D. Lungs, pleura, and heart

19. After careful selection and testing of bone marrow donors, a potential candidate was found
for a patient with severe leukemia. The physician collected a small sample of the potential
donor's bone marrow via aspiration technique. This sample was then sent to pathology to
determine whether or not it would be a match for the patient's bone marrow. What is the correct
code for the procedure performed by the physician?

A. 38221 B. 38220 C. 38230 D. 38232

20. HIPAA was created to:

A. Protect patient privacy
B. Enact ways to uncover fraud and abuse
C. Create standards of electronic transactions
D. All of the above
E. Only options A and B

21. The patient is being evaluated for spinal curvature problems of the lower back. She has been
sent to the radiologist for a set of spinal x-rays. The radiologist takes x-rays from 4 different
views of her spine (standing straight, bending forward and from each side) along with three
additional views. These films are sent to the patient's PCP for interpretation and report. What
code should the radiologist report?

A. 72114 -TC B. 72110 -TC, 72120 -TC C. 72114 D. 72110, 72120

22. A pediatrician performed a lumbar puncture on a 2-day-old premature infant weighing 2.3 kg
with possible meningitis. What is the correct code for this service?
A. 62272 B. 62270 C. 62270 -63 D. 62272 -63
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23. A physician performed a thoracoabdominal diaphragmatic hernia repair on 45-year-old male

patient with the implantation of prosthetic mesh for support. What is the correct code for this
procedure?
A. 39531 B. 39530 C. 43336 D. 43337

24. The patient was seen in the emergency department for a severe laceration to the right
forearm, following a work injury. The on-call physician performed an expanded problem-
focused history assessment and examination, and then sutured the complicated wound using 25-0
vicryl sutures in three subcutaneous layers. The patient was prescribed prophylactic antibiotics
and released from the emergency department. The patient was instructed to return to his PCP in
one week for a follow-up appointment. The MDM was moderate. What is the correct level of
E&M service?

A. 99284 B. 99282 C. 99283 D. 99291

25. A 47-year-old male patient with advanced cancer of the lower left mandible presented to the
hospital for surgical removal of the lower left jawbone with secondary insertion of mandibular
prosthesis. In order to perform surgery, the patient had to be intubated through a tracheostomy.
After anesthesia, the surgeon performed the tracheostomy by incising the cricothyroid membrane
horizontally along the trachea and inserting the intubation device. The surgeon completed the
primary surgical procedure on the patient's mandible. What is the correct code for the intubation?

A. 31605 B. 31600 C. No code would be used for the intubation D. 31603

26. When selecting an evaluation and management code, what is the first thing that the coder
needs to determine?
A. The time the provider spent with the patient
B. The appropriate category of E&M service
C. Whether the patient was new or established
D. How long the discharge took

27. A physician performed craniotomy on a patient with a severe head trauma and intracerebral
hematoma. Due to the patient's condition the procedure was extremely difficult, requiring a
significant amount of extra time and effort. What is the correct code for this procedure?

A. 61315 B. 61313 C. 61313 -22 D. 61315 -23

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28. Diaphragmatic hernia repair codes are divided based upon what?
A. The age of the patient and whether or not mesh was used
B. The age of the patient and whether or not the hernia is acute or chronic
C. The stage of the hernia and the site of the hernia
D. The age of the patient and the site of the hernia

29. A radiographic image of the colon's interior is referred to as which of the following?
A. Colonography B. Colonoscopy C. Duodenoscopy D. Cholangiography

30. What is the difference between meningitis and encephalitis?

A. Meningitis is the inflammation of the spinal cord, and encephalitis is the inflammation of
the lining of the brain
B. Meningitis is the inflammation of the lining of the brain and encephalitis is the
inflammation of the brain
C. Meningitis is the inflammation of the lining of the brain and encephalitis is the swelling
of the spinal cord
D. Meningitis is a respiratory infection and encephalitis is the inflammation of the nervous
system

31. PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Cyst of Mediastinal Wall

POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Tumor of Mediastinal Wall

A physician removed 1.5 cm mass from mediastinal wall, along with appropriate margins. The
tumor was sent to pathology to determine the malignancy status. What is the correct code for this
procedure?

A. 39200 B. 39220 C. 39000 D. 39010

32. What is the difference between anterior nasal packing versus posterior nasal packing
procedure codes?
A. None, they are the same codes
B. Posterior packing is done in the larynx, whereas anterior packing is done at the back of
the throat
C. There are no nasal packing procedure codes in the CPT manual
D. Anterior packing is applied pressure and gauze and posterior packing is the insertion of a
balloon into the back of the nasal cavity
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33. A 65-year-old female patient with atherosclerosis receives an abdominal aortography via
serialography. The patient's cardiologist reviews and interprets the findings. What is the
appropriate code for this service?

A. 75625 B. 75625 -26 C. 75605 D. 75630

34. Which of the following is always the payer of last resort?

A. Medicare B. Medicaid C. Worker's Compensation Insurance D. Commercial
Insurance

35. When a doctor manipulates a dislocated joint back into place, he:
A. Reduces the subluxation B. Manipulates the fracture C. Suspends the dislocation
D. Reduces the suspension

36. During delivery, an episiotomy may be performed in order to allow a larger opening for the
baby to pass through. In this procedure, the obstetrician will incise which area?
A. Vagina B. Labia Minora C. Labia Majora D. Perineum

37. If a patient is in the prone position, he is:

A. Lying flat on his back
B. Lying flat on his stomach
C. Sitting up straight
D. Lying flat on his back with his feet elevated

38. A 23-year old woman, pregnant with her second child, received antepartum care from her
physician in Atlanta, GA. After 9 visits with her physician in Atlanta, the patient moved to
Albuquerque, NM where she continued her prenatal care with a new doctor. The new physician
saw the patient for the remaining antepartum visits. The new physician also performed vaginal
delivery and postpartum care, which included the 6-week postpartum checkup. How should the
physician in Atlanta code for his services?

A. 59426 B. 59425 C. 59410 D. 59430

39. A physician has been treating a patient with endocarditis for the past two weeks. Due to the
patient's chronic inflammation of the heart's lining, the physician sent a blood sample to the lab,
which detected trace amounts of the bacteria staphylococcus. Now that the physician knows the
bacterium that is causing the endocarditis, he can prescribe an appropriate antibiotic to fight the
infection and treat the condition. What are the correct diagnosis codes for this patient's
condition?
A. 421.0, 041.10 B. 041.10, 421.0 C. 041.11, 421.0 D. 421.0, 041.00
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40. Mr. Johnson, a 46-year-old male, has smoked cigars for the last 20 years of his life. He has a
suspicious lesion on his lower lip and is being seen for treatment. The physician suspects that it
may be malignant. The physician performed a shave biopsy of the patient's lower lip. What is the
correct code for this procedure?

A. 40490 B. 40500 C. 11100 D. 11600

41. Sheila took her 5-year-old daughter to the pediatrician's office for an annual well-child exam.
She has a commercial Blue-Cross Blue-Shield insurance plan, through her work, which covers
her daughter. Sheila also has Medicaid coverage on her daughter, due to her low-income status.
Which one of her insurances is billed for the well-child exam?
A. You bill Blue-Cross Blue-Shield first and Medicaid second
B. You bill Medicaid only
C. You bill Blue-Cross Blue-Shield only
D. You bill Medicaid first and Blue-Cross Blue-Shield second

42. PROGRESS NOTE

PATIENT: JOHNSON, GOLDIE
AGE: 36
DATE: 01/13/2017

A 36-year-old woman with a history of multiple complicated ectopic pregnancies presented to

her OB/GYN's office. She took an at-home pregnancy test two weeks ago, which was positive,
and experienced a heavy bleed in the middle of the night last night. She presented this morning
with complaints of excessive vaginal bleeding and pain in the abdominal area. After
confirmation of the pregnancy via urinalysis, the physician performed a pelvic examination.
After examination, the OB suspected that the pregnancy was ectopic and ordered an ultrasound
confirmation. The ultrasound confirmation, performed later that day, showed an advanced
interstitial uterine ectopic pregnancy. The estimated age of the pregnancy was 12 weeks. The OB
discussed the risks of the ectopic pregnancy with the patient, who then decided to have an
excision of the ectopic pregnancy and a total hysterectomy. The OB spent 45 minutes counseling
the patient and the patient was scheduled for an abdominal hysterectomy in two days.

How should the OB code for the procedure performed in the office?

A. 99214, 76801
B. 99215-57, 81025, 76801
C. 99214-57, 81025
D. 99215, 81025, 76805
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43. This condition occurs when the lining of the esophagus becomes inflamed. It is generally
caused by an infection or irritation of the esophagus. What is the name of this condition?
A. Esophagitis B. Barrett's Esophagus C. Esophageal Varices D. Mallory-Weiss
Tear

44. A pacemaker or pacing cardioverter-defibrillator that has pacing and sensing functions in
three or more chambers of the heart is considered a:
A. Multiple Lead B. Dual Lead C. Single Lead D. Triple Lead

45. The tympanic membrane is often referred to as:

A. A taste bud B. The ear drum C. The stirrup D. The inner ear

46. A 14-year-old patient with an abscessed tooth presented to the physician's office with
possible sepsis. The tooth had gone untreated for two weeks, and now the patient is experiencing
a high fever, severe headaches and toothaches and malaise and fatigue. The physician suspects
that the bacteria from the tooth has spread to the patient's blood and is now a systemic infection.
As part of the office procedure, the physician orders a CBC in order to examine the bacterial
levels in the patient's blood. After the physician writes the orders, the nurse performs a
venipuncture on the patient in order to obtain a blood sample. What is the correct code for the
collection of the blood only?
A. 36416 B. 36415 C. 36410 D. 36406

47. A physician harvested a viable left cornea, liver, and heart from a declared brain-dead
patient. What anesthesia services should have been provided?
A. 01990
B. No anesthesia services should have been performed on a brain-dead patient
C. 33930, 47133-51, 65110-51
D. 01990-P6

48. A physician performed a cystourethroscopy with an ejaculatory duct catheterization and

irrigation. Duct radiography was also performed to visualize ejaculatory duct system. What CPT
codes should be reported?
A. 52000, 52010 B. 52000, 52010, 74440 C. 52010, 74440 D. 52010

49. What does the suffix "-megaly" refer to, as in cardiomegaly?

A. Inflammation, as in inflammation of the heart.
B. Pain in, as in heart pain
C. Enlargement of, as in enlargement of the heart
D. Softening of, as in softening of the heart
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50. The time reported for an anesthesia service begins __________________, and ends
__________________.
A. When the anesthesiologist administers the anesthetic agent; when the patient leaves the
operating table. B. When the anesthesiologist begins prepping the patient; when the
anesthesiologist is no longer in personal post-operative attendance. C. When the physician
begins the procedure; when the physician ends the procedure. D. When the anesthesiologist
begins prepping the patient; when the patient leaves the hospital.