CERTIFIED CODING SPECIALIST (CCS)
EXAMINATION QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the correct ICD-10-CM code for Type 2 diabetes
mellitus with diabetic chronic kidney disease?
A. E11.9
B. E11.22
C. N18.9
D. E10.22
Correct Answer: B. E11.22
Rationale: This code specifically captures Type 2 diabetes mellitus with
diabetic chronic kidney disease. ICD-10-CM requires combination codes
when complications are present. E11.9 is uncomplicated diabetes, and
N18.9 is CKD alone.
2. What is the main purpose of CPT coding?
A. Diagnosis classification
B. Hospital billing only
C. Reporting medical procedures and services
D. Insurance eligibility
Correct Answer: C. Reporting medical procedures and services
Rationale: CPT codes are used to describe medical, surgical, and
, diagnostic services. They are maintained by AMA and are essential for
outpatient billing.
3. A patient has acute appendicitis with perforation. What ICD-10-CM code is
correct?
A. K35.80
B. K35.32
C. K37
D. K35.3
Correct Answer: B. K35.32
Rationale: K35.32 identifies acute appendicitis with perforation and
localized peritonitis, which is more specific than unspecified appendicitis
codes.
4. Which modifier indicates a discontinued procedure after anesthesia was
administered?
A. -52
B. -53
C. -54
D. -73
Correct Answer: B. -53
Rationale: Modifier -53 is used when a procedure is discontinued due to
patient risk after anesthesia has been given.
5. What is the ICD-10-PCS root operation for removing a foreign body?
A. Excision
B. Extirpation
C. Resection
D. Extraction
Correct Answer: B. Extirpation
, Rationale: Extirpation refers specifically to removal of solid material such
as a foreign body or thrombus from a body part.
6. What does a Z code represent in ICD-10-CM?
A. Injury
B. External causes
C. Factors influencing health status
D. Infectious disease
Correct Answer: C. Factors influencing health status
Rationale: Z codes describe encounters for reasons other than disease or
injury, such as screenings or history.
7. What is the correct coding for postoperative infection following surgery?
A. T81.4XXA
B. A41.9
C. L08.9
D. T88.0XXA
Correct Answer: A. T81.4XXA
Rationale: T81.4XXA identifies infection following a procedure, which is
essential for postoperative complication reporting.
8. Which section of CPT includes anesthesia codes?
A. 10000–19999
B. 20000–29999
C. 30000–39999
D. 00100–01999
Correct Answer: D. 00100–01999
Rationale: Anesthesia codes are located in the 00100–01999 range of CPT.
, 9. What is the correct sequencing when coding neoplasm with metastasis?
A. Metastatic site first
B. Primary site first
C. Either order
D. External cause first
Correct Answer: B. Primary site first
Rationale: ICD-10-CM guidelines require coding the primary malignancy
first followed by secondary sites.
10.Which is an example of unbundling?
A. Reporting separate codes for each component of a surgical package
B. Using correct modifiers
C. Coding diagnosis with procedure
D. Using Z codes
Correct Answer: A. Reporting separate codes for each component of a
surgical package
Rationale: Unbundling occurs when components of a procedure that
should be reported together are billed separately.
11.What is the correct code for acute myocardial infarction of the anterior
wall?
A. I21.09
B. I20.0
C. I21.3
D. I25.10
Correct Answer: A. I21.09
Rationale: I21.09 identifies acute transmural MI of other anterior wall
locations.
EXAMINATION QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the correct ICD-10-CM code for Type 2 diabetes
mellitus with diabetic chronic kidney disease?
A. E11.9
B. E11.22
C. N18.9
D. E10.22
Correct Answer: B. E11.22
Rationale: This code specifically captures Type 2 diabetes mellitus with
diabetic chronic kidney disease. ICD-10-CM requires combination codes
when complications are present. E11.9 is uncomplicated diabetes, and
N18.9 is CKD alone.
2. What is the main purpose of CPT coding?
A. Diagnosis classification
B. Hospital billing only
C. Reporting medical procedures and services
D. Insurance eligibility
Correct Answer: C. Reporting medical procedures and services
Rationale: CPT codes are used to describe medical, surgical, and
, diagnostic services. They are maintained by AMA and are essential for
outpatient billing.
3. A patient has acute appendicitis with perforation. What ICD-10-CM code is
correct?
A. K35.80
B. K35.32
C. K37
D. K35.3
Correct Answer: B. K35.32
Rationale: K35.32 identifies acute appendicitis with perforation and
localized peritonitis, which is more specific than unspecified appendicitis
codes.
4. Which modifier indicates a discontinued procedure after anesthesia was
administered?
A. -52
B. -53
C. -54
D. -73
Correct Answer: B. -53
Rationale: Modifier -53 is used when a procedure is discontinued due to
patient risk after anesthesia has been given.
5. What is the ICD-10-PCS root operation for removing a foreign body?
A. Excision
B. Extirpation
C. Resection
D. Extraction
Correct Answer: B. Extirpation
, Rationale: Extirpation refers specifically to removal of solid material such
as a foreign body or thrombus from a body part.
6. What does a Z code represent in ICD-10-CM?
A. Injury
B. External causes
C. Factors influencing health status
D. Infectious disease
Correct Answer: C. Factors influencing health status
Rationale: Z codes describe encounters for reasons other than disease or
injury, such as screenings or history.
7. What is the correct coding for postoperative infection following surgery?
A. T81.4XXA
B. A41.9
C. L08.9
D. T88.0XXA
Correct Answer: A. T81.4XXA
Rationale: T81.4XXA identifies infection following a procedure, which is
essential for postoperative complication reporting.
8. Which section of CPT includes anesthesia codes?
A. 10000–19999
B. 20000–29999
C. 30000–39999
D. 00100–01999
Correct Answer: D. 00100–01999
Rationale: Anesthesia codes are located in the 00100–01999 range of CPT.
, 9. What is the correct sequencing when coding neoplasm with metastasis?
A. Metastatic site first
B. Primary site first
C. Either order
D. External cause first
Correct Answer: B. Primary site first
Rationale: ICD-10-CM guidelines require coding the primary malignancy
first followed by secondary sites.
10.Which is an example of unbundling?
A. Reporting separate codes for each component of a surgical package
B. Using correct modifiers
C. Coding diagnosis with procedure
D. Using Z codes
Correct Answer: A. Reporting separate codes for each component of a
surgical package
Rationale: Unbundling occurs when components of a procedure that
should be reported together are billed separately.
11.What is the correct code for acute myocardial infarction of the anterior
wall?
A. I21.09
B. I20.0
C. I21.3
D. I25.10
Correct Answer: A. I21.09
Rationale: I21.09 identifies acute transmural MI of other anterior wall
locations.
