AAPC Updated CPC Exam Questions and Answers by constance

Break the term into parts:“oophor-”refers to theovary, and“-ectomy”meanssurgical removal/excision. The modifier“bilateral”meansboth sides(right and left). Put together,bilateral oophorectomymeanssurgical removal of both ovaries. This is commonly confused withsalpingectomy(removal of fallopian tube[s]) andhysterectomy(removal of uterus). CPC terminology questions often use these closely related female-reproductive terms as distractors, so the safest approach is to anchor on the root: “oophor” = ovary, “salping” = fallopian tube, “hyster/uter” = uterus. If it were removal of both tubes, it would bebilateral salpingectomy; removal of uterus (open or laparoscopic) is still a hysterectomy, not an oophorectomy. The “bilateral” part is critical—without it, an oophorectomy could be unilateral (one ovary).

This is aninitial hospital/observation evaluation(first visit during the stay), so the correct code family is theinitial observation/inpatient E/Mlevel. The stem providestotal time = 85 minutesand also statesmoderate MDM. Under current E/M rules, you can select the code based oneither MDM or total time(when time is used, it includes the physician’s qualifying time on that date). The time of85 minutesfits the time range for99223(the highest initial hospital/observation level by time) even if MDM is described as moderate. The prolonged service add-on99418requires meeting the threshold beyond the primary code’s time before it can be added; with 85 minutes, you do not reach the additional increment needed to report 99418. Therefore, you report99223 only. CPC exam tip: when time is explicitly provided and is high, it often drives the level; do not add prolonged time unless the documented time clearly exceeds the primary code’s requirement by the necessary increment.

A diagnostic mammogram performed on both breasts with computer-aided detection (CAD) is reported with CPT® code 77066. This code is used when CAD is utilized to further analyze the images for possible lesions, and it covers both breasts.

The diagnosis “tracheal stenosis present from birth” is acongenital malformation, which is coded withQ32.1(congenital stenosis of trachea) rather than an acquired tracheal disorder code. For anesthesia coding, tracheoplasty is a major airway/tracheal surgical procedure and maps to the appropriateairway/trachea anesthesiacategory represented by00320in the answer set. Because the patient is aninfant (6 months old), anesthesia qualifies for the extreme age add-on99100(anesthesia for patient of extreme age, under 1 year or over 70 years). Options includingJ39.8reflect an acquired/other tracheal disorder category rather than congenital stenosis, which conflicts with “from birth.” Options that omit 99100 miss the age-related qualifying circumstance. CPC exam strategy: always code congenital conditions withQ-codeswhen documented as present from birth, and remember99100for patients < 1 yearwhen anesthesia qualifying circumstances are reported. Therefore,00320, 99100, Q32.1is correct.