CAISS -AIS FAQs CODING EXAM AND
PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 WITH ACTUAL
CORRECT QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
DETAILED ANSWERS |CURRENTLY TESTING
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS|ALREADY
GRADED A+|NEWEST |BRAND NEW
VERSION|JUST RELEASED!!
Q: The patient is an unrestrained passenger admitted following a high speed MVC. He has been
unconscious without sedation of paralytic medications since admission 48 hours ago. His CT
demonstrates petechial hemorrhages in the area of the corpus callosum and basal ganglia. The
neurosurgeon diagnoses DAI. What is the correct AIS code?
A: In AIS 2005, there are two areas in which DAI may be coded. The correct code in AIS 2005 is
140627.5 Cerebrum, DAI involving corpus callosum. If the CT had noted only hemorrhages in
the basal ganglia, or more broadly, petechial hemorrhages in the cerebrum, the correct codes
would have been 140625.4 (for the basal ganglia) or 140628.4 for the cerebrum NFS.
Q: DAI coding
A: AIS 2005 makes the distinction as to whether an anatomical site has been noted for the DAI.
If the chart simply states DAI (confirmed by both radiologic and clinical diagnoses) it should be
coded in the Concussive Injury section of the chapter, in this case the correct code being
161011.5.
Q: How should you code asphyxia related to hanging?
A: Asphyxia codes are located in the Other Trauma section. Since we have no information as to
neurological deficit, the correct code to use is 020000.3. There are also codes in the Head
1|Page
,chapter for "hypoxic or ischemic brain damage secondary to systemic hypoxemia, hypotension
or shock" but these codes have a severity code of 9.
Q: What is the correct code for a single tiny cerebral contusion?
A: It is 140605.2 tiny: < 1 cm in diameter
Q: What is the correct code for a single small (1-4 cm) cerebral contusion?
A: The correct code is 140606.3 which identifies a single "small" contusion.
Q: What is a torn septum pellucida and which code would you use if there was as associated
IVH?
A: The septum pellucida is the structure that separates the anterior horns of the lateral
ventricles, so when it is torn we would expect to see intraventricular hemorrhage. The cerebral
laceration should be coded (140688.3) in addition to the IVH. Although the IVH is a sequela of
the tear, it is a codeable sequela
Q: Is a pterygoid fracture considered to be a skull base fracture?
A: The pterygoid plates are a part of the sphenoid bone and are therefore part of the skull base.
The exception to this is if they are included in a confirmed LeFort I fracture. In that case the
injury is coded to the face and the sphenoid (base fracture) and the pterygoid is not coded
additionally.
Q: What is Uncal herniation
A: Brain stem compression; includes transtentorial (uncal)
Q: What constitutes a subacute SDH?
A: Subacute subdural hematomas are defined arbitrarily as those that present between 4 and
21 days after injury.
Q: What constitutes a chronic SDH?
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,A: Chronic subdural hematomas are arbitrarily defined as those hematomas presenting 21 days
or more after injury.
Q: When and how do I code LOC?
A: You may use codes 161002.2 through 161006.3 when the MD confirms "positive LOC". This
does not have to be witnessed by the MD. If they believe there was LOC and document it, we
may code it. We do not need to have the word "concussion" in the chart in order to code LOC. If
the EMS agency notes LOC, the physician must corroborate this finding in the medical record for
you to code it in AIS.
Q: If there is a cerebral hemorrhage NFS and LOC of some duration, how should this be coded?
May we use concussive injury codes in addition to the hemorrhage code?
A: Do not code coma in addition to the hemorrhage. When there is an anatomic brain injury the
concussive codes are not used additionally. If the only injury is a skull fracture (no damage to
the brain substance) and there is documented LOC you may use the concussive injury codes
additionally.
Q: A patient is admitted after an assault with a baseball bat to the head; among his injuries, a
tympanic membrane rupture; How do you code this injury?
A: a tympanic membrane rupture is coded as 240216.1; note that frequently this injury is also
associated with a basilar skull fracture so look for that on the CT scan or a clinical diagnosis of
such.
Q: A woman is in MVC with facial trauma multiple fractures of R orbit complains of loss of visual
acuity in R eye. Her globe is intact but a hole in her R macula is discovered. Please code this
injury to the eye.
A: Code 240904.2; Macula: hole
Q: How would you code this finding? Acute left parasymphyseal fracture of the left hemi
mandible. Fracture of the angle of the right hemi mandible. When reviewing the physician notes
they state, "right angle and left parasymphyseal displaced mandible fractures."
3|Page
, A: The mandible is one of the ring-like bony structures that only receives 1 code. You should
code it to the largest mass area. As you go down the codes under mandible, they increase in
body mass, so you would use the code for symphysis/parasymphysis 250614.2
Q: If your CT reported the following injuries right mandibular condyle, ramus and coronoid
process fracture. Complex right maxillary fracture involving the anterior, medial and lateral and
superior walls (orbital floor), fracture of right pterygoid plates and orbital fractures involving the
apex, lateral, superior and inferior walls with complex fractures of the frontal bone" How would
you code this case ?
A: This sounds like a panfacial fracture since it involves all 3 regions of the face, and it is not a
LeFort. If it involves both sides of the face it would meet the definition of multiple and complex
fractures for panfacial. If unilateral, you should code each.
Q: A patient involved in an ATV wreck has multiple facial fractures that do not meet the criteria
for a LeFort fracture diagnosis. How should they be coded? The highest AIS severity code for
individual facial fractures is .2 and that doesn't seem to reflect the severity of these multiple
fractures.
A: Panfacial fracture is defined as "multiple and complex fractures that may involve middle and
lower face, upper and middle face, or all three, but not LeFort fractures." It assigns severity
codes of .3 or .4 depending on the amount of associated blood loss.
Q: Is there anywhere that entrapment of extraocular muscles (with orbital fxs) should be
coded?
A: Code the orbital fracture based upon the type and place of the fracture. Entrapment is an
outcome and is not coded.
Q: A 24 year old male is admitted after a fight. His facial CT demonstrates multiple linear
fractures of the mandible, including L condyle, L body and R ramus. There is a deep laceration
overlying the left portion of his jaw. The fractures are described as minimally displaced. How
would you code these injuries?
4|Page
PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 WITH ACTUAL
CORRECT QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
DETAILED ANSWERS |CURRENTLY TESTING
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS|ALREADY
GRADED A+|NEWEST |BRAND NEW
VERSION|JUST RELEASED!!
Q: The patient is an unrestrained passenger admitted following a high speed MVC. He has been
unconscious without sedation of paralytic medications since admission 48 hours ago. His CT
demonstrates petechial hemorrhages in the area of the corpus callosum and basal ganglia. The
neurosurgeon diagnoses DAI. What is the correct AIS code?
A: In AIS 2005, there are two areas in which DAI may be coded. The correct code in AIS 2005 is
140627.5 Cerebrum, DAI involving corpus callosum. If the CT had noted only hemorrhages in
the basal ganglia, or more broadly, petechial hemorrhages in the cerebrum, the correct codes
would have been 140625.4 (for the basal ganglia) or 140628.4 for the cerebrum NFS.
Q: DAI coding
A: AIS 2005 makes the distinction as to whether an anatomical site has been noted for the DAI.
If the chart simply states DAI (confirmed by both radiologic and clinical diagnoses) it should be
coded in the Concussive Injury section of the chapter, in this case the correct code being
161011.5.
Q: How should you code asphyxia related to hanging?
A: Asphyxia codes are located in the Other Trauma section. Since we have no information as to
neurological deficit, the correct code to use is 020000.3. There are also codes in the Head
1|Page
,chapter for "hypoxic or ischemic brain damage secondary to systemic hypoxemia, hypotension
or shock" but these codes have a severity code of 9.
Q: What is the correct code for a single tiny cerebral contusion?
A: It is 140605.2 tiny: < 1 cm in diameter
Q: What is the correct code for a single small (1-4 cm) cerebral contusion?
A: The correct code is 140606.3 which identifies a single "small" contusion.
Q: What is a torn septum pellucida and which code would you use if there was as associated
IVH?
A: The septum pellucida is the structure that separates the anterior horns of the lateral
ventricles, so when it is torn we would expect to see intraventricular hemorrhage. The cerebral
laceration should be coded (140688.3) in addition to the IVH. Although the IVH is a sequela of
the tear, it is a codeable sequela
Q: Is a pterygoid fracture considered to be a skull base fracture?
A: The pterygoid plates are a part of the sphenoid bone and are therefore part of the skull base.
The exception to this is if they are included in a confirmed LeFort I fracture. In that case the
injury is coded to the face and the sphenoid (base fracture) and the pterygoid is not coded
additionally.
Q: What is Uncal herniation
A: Brain stem compression; includes transtentorial (uncal)
Q: What constitutes a subacute SDH?
A: Subacute subdural hematomas are defined arbitrarily as those that present between 4 and
21 days after injury.
Q: What constitutes a chronic SDH?
2|Page
,A: Chronic subdural hematomas are arbitrarily defined as those hematomas presenting 21 days
or more after injury.
Q: When and how do I code LOC?
A: You may use codes 161002.2 through 161006.3 when the MD confirms "positive LOC". This
does not have to be witnessed by the MD. If they believe there was LOC and document it, we
may code it. We do not need to have the word "concussion" in the chart in order to code LOC. If
the EMS agency notes LOC, the physician must corroborate this finding in the medical record for
you to code it in AIS.
Q: If there is a cerebral hemorrhage NFS and LOC of some duration, how should this be coded?
May we use concussive injury codes in addition to the hemorrhage code?
A: Do not code coma in addition to the hemorrhage. When there is an anatomic brain injury the
concussive codes are not used additionally. If the only injury is a skull fracture (no damage to
the brain substance) and there is documented LOC you may use the concussive injury codes
additionally.
Q: A patient is admitted after an assault with a baseball bat to the head; among his injuries, a
tympanic membrane rupture; How do you code this injury?
A: a tympanic membrane rupture is coded as 240216.1; note that frequently this injury is also
associated with a basilar skull fracture so look for that on the CT scan or a clinical diagnosis of
such.
Q: A woman is in MVC with facial trauma multiple fractures of R orbit complains of loss of visual
acuity in R eye. Her globe is intact but a hole in her R macula is discovered. Please code this
injury to the eye.
A: Code 240904.2; Macula: hole
Q: How would you code this finding? Acute left parasymphyseal fracture of the left hemi
mandible. Fracture of the angle of the right hemi mandible. When reviewing the physician notes
they state, "right angle and left parasymphyseal displaced mandible fractures."
3|Page
, A: The mandible is one of the ring-like bony structures that only receives 1 code. You should
code it to the largest mass area. As you go down the codes under mandible, they increase in
body mass, so you would use the code for symphysis/parasymphysis 250614.2
Q: If your CT reported the following injuries right mandibular condyle, ramus and coronoid
process fracture. Complex right maxillary fracture involving the anterior, medial and lateral and
superior walls (orbital floor), fracture of right pterygoid plates and orbital fractures involving the
apex, lateral, superior and inferior walls with complex fractures of the frontal bone" How would
you code this case ?
A: This sounds like a panfacial fracture since it involves all 3 regions of the face, and it is not a
LeFort. If it involves both sides of the face it would meet the definition of multiple and complex
fractures for panfacial. If unilateral, you should code each.
Q: A patient involved in an ATV wreck has multiple facial fractures that do not meet the criteria
for a LeFort fracture diagnosis. How should they be coded? The highest AIS severity code for
individual facial fractures is .2 and that doesn't seem to reflect the severity of these multiple
fractures.
A: Panfacial fracture is defined as "multiple and complex fractures that may involve middle and
lower face, upper and middle face, or all three, but not LeFort fractures." It assigns severity
codes of .3 or .4 depending on the amount of associated blood loss.
Q: Is there anywhere that entrapment of extraocular muscles (with orbital fxs) should be
coded?
A: Code the orbital fracture based upon the type and place of the fracture. Entrapment is an
outcome and is not coded.
Q: A 24 year old male is admitted after a fight. His facial CT demonstrates multiple linear
fractures of the mandible, including L condyle, L body and R ramus. There is a deep laceration
overlying the left portion of his jaw. The fractures are described as minimally displaced. How
would you code these injuries?
4|Page
