Free AAPC CPC Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 11

In the CPT® code book, code 35860 describes an " Exploration for postoperative hemorrhage, thrombosis or infection " in multiple areas, specifically including the neck, chest, abdomen, and/or extremity. This code is used when a surgeon explores these areas postoperatively to locate and address complications such as bleeding, clots, or infections.

B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not fully encompass all the areas listed in the actual description of CPT® code 35860, which includes all four regions (neck, chest, abdomen, and extremity).

Thus, the correct answer is A. Exploration for postoperative hemorrhage, thrombosis or infection; neck, chest, abdomen, and/or extremity.

47563: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy with cholangiography is coded as 47563. The report details the laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder with intraoperative cholangiography.

74300-26: The radiological supervision and interpretation for the cholangiography is coded as 74300 with modifier -26 (Professional Component) since the interpretation was done by the physician.

CPT® Professional Edition, AMA

For Mohs micrographic surgery, CPT® coding is based on the anatomic location of the lesion, the number of stages, and the number of tissue blocks per stage.

17311: This code is used for Mohs surgery on body areas such as the trunk, arms, or legs for the first stage.

17315: This is an add-on code used when more than five tissue blocks are examined in a single stage. Since this case involved six tissue blocks, 17315 is appropriate.

Explanation of incorrect answers:

A. 17313, 17314, 17315: Incorrect, as 17313 applies to the head, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia, not the arm.

C. 17313, 17315: Incorrect, as 17313 is not appropriate for the arm.

D. 17311, 17312, 17315: 17312 is used for additional stages beyond the first, which is not applicable here since only one stage was performed.

E. 85B2-335 is not a valid CPT code for Mohs surgery.

Thus, the correct answer is B. 17311, 17315, which accurately reflects a single-stage Mohs surgery with six tissue blocks on the arm.

The case describes two primary surgeons working together, which supports modifier 62 (co-surgeons) on the spine fusion/discectomy codes.

22556 = primary level anterior thoracic discectomy and fusion (T2–T3)

22585 = each additional thoracic level (T4–T5)

20931 = structural allograft (reported by the surgeon who solely performed/placed the structural allograft, per the statement—Surgeon Z)

Why D fits best:

Surgeon X performed the approach/exposure and closure and assisted the primary surgeon → reports the co-surgeon spine procedure codes (22556-62, 22585-62).

Surgeon Z performed the discectomy/fusion and solely performed utilizing a structural allograft → reports 22556-62, 22585-62, plus 20931.

Options with -51 are not correct here (and add-on/related reporting logic in CPT does not support the way -51 is applied in those options).

Modifier -53 = Discontinued procedure after anesthesia and/or incision due to patient safety

-74 is used by facility, not physician

-52 is for reduced services, not discontinued procedures

According to the CPT® guidelines for Repair (Closure), an intermediate repair includes the closure of a wound with one or more layers of subcutaneous tissue and superficial fascia in addition to the skin (epidermal and dermal) closure. It also involves extensive cleaning of the wound, which includes copious irrigation and the removal of particulate matter. This description fits the scenario provided in the question.

AMA ' s CPT® Professional Edition, Repair (Closure) guidelines.

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

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

CPT® code 69644 refers to a tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy, which includes canalplasty, middle ear surgery, and tympanic membrane repair. The specific procedure described by this code is performed with an intact or reconstructed canal wall and includes ossicular chain reconstruction. The use of a semicolon in the CPT® description helps distinguish between different variations of the procedure.

AMA ' s CPT® Professional Edition, specific code descriptions and guidelines.

To determine the correct E/M code, we need to consider the three key components: history, examination, and medical decision making (MDM).

History:

The documentation indicates an expanded problem-focused history. This is supported by the detailed history of present illness, including the patient ' s description of symptoms, family history, and review of systems with pertinent positives and negatives.

Examination:

The examination is also expanded problem-focused. The physician focused on the relevant systems (head, neck, throat) and documented specific findings related to the chief complaint (thyromegaly).

Medical Decision Making:

The MDM is straightforward. The physician is evaluating a new problem (bilateral thyroid nodules) with a low level of risk. Although further workup is planned, this alone doesn ' t automatically increase the MDM complexity.

Based on these components, 99213 is the most appropriate code.

Why other options are incorrect:

99212: Requires a problem-focused history and examination, which is less comprehensive than what was documented.

99214 and 99215: Require a higher level of MDM (low or moderate complexity) and/or a more detailed examination. The documentation doesn ' t support this level of service.

Penile prosthesis coding is determined by thetype of deviceand whether the procedure is asimple insertion, areplacement, or a more complex scenario. Anon-inflatable(malleable or semi-rigid) penile prosthesis is specifically reported withCPT 54416. Inflatable devices are coded differently (commonly with a different code family), and replacement/revision services may also have distinct codes depending on what is removed and replaced. In this question, the vignette is straightforward: erectile dysfunction treated with insertion of anon-inflatable prosthesis—no mention of prior implant, revision, or removal—so the correct code is the primary insertion code for that device type. The distractors include other penile procedures and prosthesis-related codes that do not match “non-inflatable insertion.” CPC exam tip: lock onto “non-inflatable” vs “inflatable,” and then confirm the action isinsertionrather than revision or replacement. That leads to54416.