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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

ICD-10-CM Coding: icd 10 practice test with 20 case questions

Quick, free icd 10 cm quiz to check your coding skills. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Spirtoulis StroumfUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Other
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustrating the ICD-10 Coding Challenge trivia quiz for healthcare coding students.

Use this quiz to practice ICD-10-CM coding with 20 short case questions, build speed, and check your understanding. See instant feedback after each item, then keep learning with a medical coding practice test, an em coding basics quiz, or a medical coding quiz for a quick refresher or class prep.

Easy
What does ICD-10 stand for?
International Coding of Diseases, Tenth Part
Internal Classification of Diagnoses, Version 10
International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision
International Classification for Diagnostics, 10th Edition
ICD-10 stands for International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision. This code system standardizes diagnostic data across healthcare settings.
How many characters can an ICD-10-CM code contain at maximum?
3 characters
7 characters
10 characters
5 characters
ICD-10-CM codes can have up to 7 characters to allow for detailed representation of diagnoses. This structure improves specificity in recording patient conditions.
Which symbol is used in ICD-10 codes to denote the separation of code extensions?
A colon (:)
A decimal point
A forward slash (/)
A hyphen (-)
The decimal point separates the main part of the ICD-10-CM code from the subcategory details. This formatting is essential for maintaining the standardized structure of the codes.
ICD-10-CM is primarily used in which setting?
Dental coding exclusively
Veterinary medicine
International clinical research
United States healthcare
ICD-10-CM is designed specifically for the United States healthcare system. Its use ensures accurate diagnostic coding and billing within this context.
Which of the following represents a characteristic format for an ICD-10-CM code?
A single digit followed by letters
A letter followed by 2 to 6 digits, sometimes with a decimal
Only numbers with no letters
Three letters followed by random digits
ICD-10-CM codes usually start with a letter, followed by digits and may include a decimal for added specificity. This format differentiates them from previous coding systems.
Medium
When a diagnosis requires laterality specification, how is it represented in ICD-10-CM codes?
With the use of additional characters indicating right or left
The code is not affected by laterality
Through a separate ICD-10-CM code only for laterality
By listing both right and left in the code description
ICD-10-CM codes incorporate additional characters to specify laterality such as right or left. This detail ensures higher precision in diagnosis recording and billing.
What does an 'Excludes' note in ICD-10-CM guidelines indicate?
The code can be combined with any other diagnosis code
The code should not be used together with another code
The code excludes any mention of a complication
The code includes all types of associated conditions
An 'Excludes' note indicates that the listed condition should not be coded with the primary code. This helps prevent coding errors by clearly separating mutually exclusive conditions.
Which of the following is an important step before assigning an ICD-10-CM code?
Using the closest ICD-10 code from a previous case
Reviewing the official coding guidelines
Relying solely on software without verification
Guessing the code based on symptoms
Reviewing the official ICD-10-CM coding guidelines ensures that the selected code is accurate and compliant. This step minimizes errors and enhances consistency in coding.
How is an unspecified condition represented in ICD-10-CM coding?
By adding an asterisk after the primary code
By using a code that ends in 9
By using a code with a hyphen
By using a code that ends in 0
Many ICD-10-CM codes denote an unspecified condition by ending in 9. This convention alerts users that the diagnosis lacks full specificity.
What is the purpose of the 'Use Additional Code' note in ICD-10-CM?
To advise that the additional code is only for research purposes
To indicate that an extra code is needed to complete the clinical picture
To inform that the diagnosis is optional
To warn that the additional code should be used only in pediatric cases
The 'Use Additional Code' note advises that another code is required to accurately document all aspects of a patient's diagnosis. This ensures a complete clinical picture for further treatment and billing.
ICD-10-CM codes improve which aspect of healthcare data?
The speed of service only
Clinical specificity and data accuracy
Patient satisfaction ratings exclusively
ICD-9 compliance
ICD-10-CM enhances clinical specificity and improves the accuracy of healthcare data. This improvement supports better quality reporting and more efficient resource management.
Which of the following is a key difference between ICD-9 and ICD-10 coding systems?
ICD-10 offers greater specificity and a larger number of codes
ICD-9 uses letters for diagnoses while ICD-10 uses only numbers
ICD-10 is less structured and more flexible
ICD-9 allows for more detailed clinical information
One of the major differences is that ICD-10 provides a much larger set of codes with increased specificity compared to ICD-9. This allows for a more accurate capture of clinical details.
Why are decimal points important in ICD-10-CM codes?
They help separate the chapter information from the subcategory details
They indicate the code's version number
They denote a pending diagnosis
They ensure the code has the correct number of characters
Decimal points serve to divide the main category of the code from the detail section. This clear separation is key to maintaining the standardized format required for accurate coding.
What role does ICD-10-CM play in healthcare billing?
It provides standardized diagnostic information used for reimbursement
It determines hospital administrative policies
It replaces patient medical records
It is used to schedule patient appointments
ICD-10-CM delivers detailed diagnostic information necessary for the billing and reimbursement process. Standardization through these codes supports consistent and accurate claim submissions.
Which resource is essential for verifying proper ICD-10-CM code assignment?
The hospital's general history files
The official ICD-10-CM coding manual and guidelines
A random online forum
Personal recollection of prior cases
The official ICD-10-CM coding manual and accompanying guidelines are the most reliable resources for ensuring accurate code assignment. Utilizing these ensures that codes are compliant with current standards.
Hard
How should a coder address a situation where the patient's documentation lacks laterality information in ICD-10-CM coding?
Leave the laterality portion blank to indicate missing information
Assume the condition is bilateral
Use an unspecified laterality code if available
Default to left-sided unless specified
When laterality is not documented, using an unspecified laterality code is the recommended practice. This approach adheres to coding guidelines while avoiding assumptions about the patient's condition.
What constitutes a 'Code First' instruction in ICD-10-CM, and how does it affect coding for complications?
It means that the codes for complications are optional
It indicates that complications should not be coded if the main disease is known
It instructs the coder to first code the underlying condition before coding the complication
It directs the use of a complication code before the primary diagnosis
A 'Code First' instruction requires entering the underlying condition before coding its complications. This sequence is vital in accurately reflecting the cause-and-effect relationship in the patient's diagnosis.
In which scenario would a combination code be used in ICD-10-CM?
When coding a preventive intervention
When a code represents both the diagnosis and the associated symptom or manifestation
When coding an external factor related to the condition
When two separate codes are required for distinct conditions
Combination codes are used when one code is designed to capture both a diagnosis and its related symptom or manifestation. This method enhances efficiency by reducing the need for multiple separate codes.
What is the significance of laterality in ICD-10-CM, and how does it impact the accuracy of patient records?
It can be omitted without affecting claim accuracy
It primarily affects billing rather than clinical care
It provides critical details that help differentiate between similar conditions and ensure proper treatment
It only serves a cosmetic purpose in documentation
Laterality specifies whether a condition affects the right, left, or unspecified side of paired organs, which is crucial for treatment and accurate record keeping. This level of detail directly influences both clinical decision-making and reimbursement.
How might the use of unspecific codes in ICD-10-CM affect a healthcare facility's quality reporting and reimbursement?
It streamlines the coding process and ensures clarity
It has no impact on reimbursement but affects only clinical outcomes
It may lead to lower reimbursement rates and signal data quality issues
It typically improves reimbursement due to fewer record details
Using unspecific or unspecified codes can result in lower reimbursement as payers may view the documentation as less precise. This practice can also flag potential data quality issues in clinical reporting.
0
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Study Outcomes

  1. Apply ICD-10 classification guidelines to correctly assign diagnosis codes.
  2. Analyze exam-style questions to identify key clinical details relevant to coding.
  3. Interpret the structure and conventions of ICD-10 coding standards.
  4. Evaluate responses to pinpoint knowledge gaps and areas for further review.
  5. Demonstrate improved exam readiness through accurate code selection and reasoning.

ICD-10-CM Coding Practice Cheat Sheet

  1. Crack the ICD-10-CM code structure - Think of these codes as secret puzzles made of 3 to 7 characters, always starting with a letter then a number, followed by letters or digits. Cracking this pattern is your first step to mastering medical coding!
  2. Master the Alphabetic Index and Tabular List - The Alphabetic Index is your treasure map to finding diagnosis codes by name, while the Tabular List dives deeper with the official code details and structure. Using both tools together means fewer mistakes and faster lookups.
  3. Use the 'X' placeholder like a pro - The letter "X" is your trusty wildcard that fills empty slots when a code needs a 7th character or reserves space for future additions. Treat it like your padding partner to keep every code perfectly formatted.
  4. Decode Excludes Notes like a detective - Excludes1 means two codes should never go together, while Excludes2 tells you the conditions can coexist. Think of it as your coding compatibility chart to avoid mix‑ups!
  5. Spot laterality to nail accuracy - Many ICD‑10‑CM codes specify right, left, or bilateral sides - skipping this detail is like forgetting which jersey you're wearing! Always check for laterality to keep your coding spot‑on.
  6. Leverage combination codes - These clever codes bundle related diagnoses, complications, or manifestations into a single entry, saving you time and reducing errors. They're like two‑for‑one deals in the coding world!
  7. Apply the 7th character correctly - That final character reveals the episode of care (initial, subsequent, or sequela) for certain categories. Forgetting it can send your code into the danger zone, so double‑check every time!
  8. Sidestep common coding errors - Watch out for mixing up letters and numbers or leaving out key specifics like laterality. A small slip can trigger big claim denials, so proofread like a coding ninja.
  9. Dive into external cause codes - While voluntary, these codes are a goldmine for injury research and prevention insights. Adding them is like giving researchers a high‑five with extra data!
  10. Keep up with official guidelines - The ICD‑10‑CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting are your ultimate rulebook for compliance and accuracy. Bookmark them and review regularly to keep your skills sharp!
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