1|Page
**AAPC OFFICIAL CPC CERTIFICATION STUDY
GUIDE**
**MEDICAL CODING PREP – DEFINITIONS &
PRACTICE QUESTIONS**150+ QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED
RATIONALES**CPT® • ICD-10-CM • HCPCS LEVEL II •
MODIFIERS • ANATOMY • MEDICAL
TERMINOLOGY**LATEST UPDATE 2025–2026 • 100%
CORRECT • FIRST-TIME PASS**
SECTION 1: MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY (Questions 1–15)
**1. A dysrhythmia refers to:**
A) Abnormal variation in the heart rhythm
B) Vascular inflammatory disorder
C) Obstruction of an artery of the heart
D) Enlargement of the heart
**Answer: A**
*Rationale:* Dysrhythmia (or arrhythmia) is an abnormal heart rhythm.
The prefix "dys-" means bad/difficult, and "rhythmia" refers to rhythm.
This is a key term tested on the CPC exam .
,2|Page
**2. Ballooning of a weakened portion of an arterial wall refers to
a(n):**
A) Embolus
B) Aneurysm
C) Varicosity
D) Thromboangiitis obliterans
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* An aneurysm is a localized, abnormal dilation of a blood
vessel wall caused by weakness. "Embolus" is a traveling clot;
"varicosity" is enlarged, tortuous vein; "thromboangiitis obliterans" is
Buerger's disease .
**3. The long bone of the upper leg is called the:**
A) Patella
B) Tibia
C) Fibula
D) Femur
**Answer: D**
*Rationale:* The femur is the longest and strongest bone in the human
body, located in the thigh. The patella is the kneecap; tibia and fibula are
lower leg bones .
,3|Page
**4. Tissue destruction or removal by means of high-frequency
electrical current is called:**
A) Ablation
B) Cauterization
C) Curettage
D) Anastomosis
**Answer: A**
*Rationale:* Ablation uses high-frequency electrical current to destroy
abnormal tissue (e.g., cardiac ablation for arrhythmias). Cauterization
uses heat to destroy tissue/seal bleeding; curettage is scraping;
anastomosis is surgical connection .
**5. The pleura refers to the:**
A) Cartilage
B) Layer of tissue lining the pleural cavity
C) Lungs
D) Layer of chest within the rib area
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* The pleura is a serous membrane that lines the pleural
cavity (parietal pleura) and covers the lungs (visceral pleura). It reduces
friction during breathing .
, 4|Page
**6. Stones or calculi formations in the gallbladder are termed as:**
A) Cholelithiasis
B) Cholecystitis
C) Cirrhosis
D) Cholecystitis with cholelithiasis
**Answer: A**
*Rationale:* Cholelithiasis = presence of gallstones. Cholecystitis =
inflammation of the gallbladder (with or without stones). Cirrhosis is
chronic liver disease .
**7. A superficial burn, characterized by pain, redness, and swelling is
classified as a:**
A) Fourth-degree burn
B) First-degree burn
C) Third-degree burn
D) Second-degree burn
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* First-degree burns (superficial) involve only the epidermis
→ redness, pain, no blistering. Second-degree (partial thickness)
involves dermis → blistering. Third-degree (full thickness) → no pain
(nerve damage), waxy appearance .
**AAPC OFFICIAL CPC CERTIFICATION STUDY
GUIDE**
**MEDICAL CODING PREP – DEFINITIONS &
PRACTICE QUESTIONS**150+ QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED
RATIONALES**CPT® • ICD-10-CM • HCPCS LEVEL II •
MODIFIERS • ANATOMY • MEDICAL
TERMINOLOGY**LATEST UPDATE 2025–2026 • 100%
CORRECT • FIRST-TIME PASS**
SECTION 1: MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY (Questions 1–15)
**1. A dysrhythmia refers to:**
A) Abnormal variation in the heart rhythm
B) Vascular inflammatory disorder
C) Obstruction of an artery of the heart
D) Enlargement of the heart
**Answer: A**
*Rationale:* Dysrhythmia (or arrhythmia) is an abnormal heart rhythm.
The prefix "dys-" means bad/difficult, and "rhythmia" refers to rhythm.
This is a key term tested on the CPC exam .
,2|Page
**2. Ballooning of a weakened portion of an arterial wall refers to
a(n):**
A) Embolus
B) Aneurysm
C) Varicosity
D) Thromboangiitis obliterans
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* An aneurysm is a localized, abnormal dilation of a blood
vessel wall caused by weakness. "Embolus" is a traveling clot;
"varicosity" is enlarged, tortuous vein; "thromboangiitis obliterans" is
Buerger's disease .
**3. The long bone of the upper leg is called the:**
A) Patella
B) Tibia
C) Fibula
D) Femur
**Answer: D**
*Rationale:* The femur is the longest and strongest bone in the human
body, located in the thigh. The patella is the kneecap; tibia and fibula are
lower leg bones .
,3|Page
**4. Tissue destruction or removal by means of high-frequency
electrical current is called:**
A) Ablation
B) Cauterization
C) Curettage
D) Anastomosis
**Answer: A**
*Rationale:* Ablation uses high-frequency electrical current to destroy
abnormal tissue (e.g., cardiac ablation for arrhythmias). Cauterization
uses heat to destroy tissue/seal bleeding; curettage is scraping;
anastomosis is surgical connection .
**5. The pleura refers to the:**
A) Cartilage
B) Layer of tissue lining the pleural cavity
C) Lungs
D) Layer of chest within the rib area
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* The pleura is a serous membrane that lines the pleural
cavity (parietal pleura) and covers the lungs (visceral pleura). It reduces
friction during breathing .
, 4|Page
**6. Stones or calculi formations in the gallbladder are termed as:**
A) Cholelithiasis
B) Cholecystitis
C) Cirrhosis
D) Cholecystitis with cholelithiasis
**Answer: A**
*Rationale:* Cholelithiasis = presence of gallstones. Cholecystitis =
inflammation of the gallbladder (with or without stones). Cirrhosis is
chronic liver disease .
**7. A superficial burn, characterized by pain, redness, and swelling is
classified as a:**
A) Fourth-degree burn
B) First-degree burn
C) Third-degree burn
D) Second-degree burn
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* First-degree burns (superficial) involve only the epidermis
→ redness, pain, no blistering. Second-degree (partial thickness)
involves dermis → blistering. Third-degree (full thickness) → no pain
(nerve damage), waxy appearance .
