AAPC Updated CPC Exam Questions and Answers by lisa

The operative approach is explicitlyopen surgery, so the correct CPT procedure code is44950(appendectomy; open). Code44970is thelaparoscopicappendectomy code and is not supported because the scenario states “open surgery.” For diagnosis, the physician’s final diagnosis ischronic appendicitis, which is reported withK36(other appendicitis) in the context of this question’s choices;K35.80represents acute appendicitis (unspecified acute) and does not match “chronic.” You also do not report symptom codes (nausea/vomiting/abdominal pain) once a definitive diagnosis is established and documented as the reason for the surgery, unless a guideline or scenario specifically requires them as additional reporting (this question does not). Therefore, the correct pairing is44950withK36only. CPC exam tip: always matchapproach(open vs laparoscopic) and code thefinal confirmed diagnosisrather than presenting symptoms when the definitive diagnosis is known.

Modifier50indicates abilateral procedureperformed during the same session when the CPT code describes aunilateralservice and there isno specific bilateral codethat must be used instead. Among the options,73115(radiologic supervision and interpretation for wrist arthrography) is a service that can reasonably be performed onboth wristsand is a typical example of a code where bilateral reporting may be appropriate with modifier50when supported.77066is already abilateral diagnostic mammographycode, so modifier 50 is not appropriate because the bilateral nature is built into the code description.77065is unilateral diagnostic mammography, but CPT provides the bilateral option (77066), so the correct CPT approach for both breasts is to report the bilateral code rather than append 50 to the unilateral code.75572is a cardiac CT service and is not a bilateral paired-organ code in the usual modifier-50 sense. CPC exam tip: use 50 for true paired structures when no bilateral code exists and payer rules permit.

11403 = Excision of benign lesion, trunk, 2.1–3.0 cm

Simple closure is included in excision codes

No separate closure code is reported.

Correct answer: A