Pass the AAPC Certified Professional Coder CPC Questions and answers with ValidTests

The spleen is a part of the lymphatic system, which is responsible for filtering blood, removing damaged blood cells, and supporting immune function. The spleen contains lymphocytes that help fight infections and regulate the immune response.

A. Nervous: The nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, unrelated to immune function.

B. Endocrine: The endocrine system regulates hormones through glands like the thyroid and pancreas, not directly involved with blood filtration or immune cell production.

C. Digestive: While the spleen is located near digestive organs, it does not play a role in digestion.

Thus, the correct answer is D. Lymphatic.

In CPT® Surgery Guidelines, a "separate procedure" code is used to identify a service that is typically performed as part of a larger procedure and should not be coded separately when it is an integral component of that primary service. However, it may be reported independently if it is performed alone or is unrelated to the primary procedure.

A. is true because a separate procedure may be reported if it is performed independently or is unrelated to the primary procedure.

B. is true, as "separate procedure" codes are not reported in addition to the code for the primary procedure when they are part of the total procedure.

C. is correct because "separate procedure" designation indicates that the service is often part of a more comprehensive procedure but can be reported separately when performed alone.

D. is false because modifier 79 is not used for unrelated "separate procedures." Instead, modifier 59 is typically used to indicate a "distinct procedural service" when reporting a separate procedure that is unrelated to the primary service.

Therefore, the correct answer is D. To identify a service designated as a "separate procedure" that is reported with an unrelated primary service, append modifier 79 to the code.

80324 – Drug test(s), definitive, qualitative or quantitative, LC/MS; acetaminophen

LC-MS = definitive testing

Acetaminophen is specifically identified by 80324

Why others are incorrect:

60143 / 80299 – Therapeutic drug assays (obsolete or nonspecific)

B0329 – HCPCS code (not appropriate here)

99393 = Preventive visit, established patient, age 5–11

Preventive codes are based on age and patient status, not time since last visit

Personal history codes are not appropriate for every encounter. They are reported only when relevant to the reason for the visit. Therefore, option A is false.

The human shoulder is composed of three main bones: the clavicle (collarbone), scapula (shoulder blade), and humerus (upper arm bone). These bones form the shoulder joint, which is one of the most flexible and mobile joints in the human body, allowing for a wide range of motion.

AMA's CPT® Professional Edition (current year), Musculoskeletal System section.

In the ICD-10-CM Tabular List, square brackets [ ] (Brackets) are used to enclose synonyms, alternative wording, or explanatory phrases. This is a punctuation convention taught for ICD-10-CM and is tested on CPC.

To avoid confusion with other punctuation:

Parentheses ( ) indicate nonessential modifiers (supplementary words that may be present or absent without affecting the code selection).

A semicolon ( ; ) is used in the Tabular List to show that additional modifying words (that follow the semicolon) are required to complete the diagnostic statement.

Colons ( : ) are used after an incomplete term that needs one or more modifying terms to make it assignable.

47000 = Percutaneous liver biopsy

76942 = Ultrasound guidance

K74.3 = Primary biliary cirrhosis

This is a subsequent nursing facility care visit.

MDM Analysis (2021+ E/M Guidelines):

Problems: Multiple chronic conditions → Moderate

Data: 4 labs + telemetry → Moderate

Risk: Prescription drug management → Moderate

99309 – Subsequent nursing facility care, moderate MDM

Why others are incorrect:

99307 / 99308 – Low complexity

99305 – Initial nursing facility care