AAPC CPC FINAL EXAM PRACTICE
EXAM 2026/2027 ACTUAL QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS.
Melanin is found in what layer of the epidermis?
a. Epithelium
b. Dermal
c. Squamous
d. Basal - correct answer-d. Basal
Rationale: Scattered throughout the basal layer of the
epidermis are cells called melanocytes, which produce the
pigment melanin, one of the main contributors to skin color.
c. 14020, C44.42
Rationale: In the CPT® codebook, Yin-Yang flap repair falls
under Adjacent Tissue Transfer codes. Look in the CPT® Index
for Skin Graft and Flap/Tissue Transfer which directs you to
code range 14000-14350. Based on the measurement
calculating to 9.28 cm² (2.9 cm x 3.2 cm = 9.28 cm²) and the
location of the scalp, the correct CPT® code is 14020. In the
ICD-10-CM code book go to the Table of Neoplasms and look
,for skin NOS/scalp/squamous cell carcinoma/Malignant Primary
column and you are referred to C44.42. Verify code selection in
the Tabular List. - correct answer-Operative Report
PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Squamous cell carcinoma,
scalp.
POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Squamous carcinoma, scalp.
PROCEDURE PERFORMED: Excision of Squamous cell
carcinoma, scalp with Yin-Yang flap repair
ANESTHESIA: Local, using 4 cc of 1% lidocaine with
epinephrine.
COMPLICATIONS: None.
ESTIMATED BLOOD LOSS: Less than 5 cc.
SPECIMENS: Squamous cell carcinoma, scalp sutured at 12
o'clock, anterior tip
INDICATIONS FOR SURGERY: The patient is a 43-year-old
male patient with a biopsy proven squamous cell carcinoma of
his scalp measuring 2.1 cm. I marked the area for excision with
gross normal margins of 4 mm and I drew my planned Yin-Yang
flap closure. The patient observed these markings in two
mirrors, to understand the surgery and he agreed on the
location. We proceeded with the procedure.
DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE: The area was infiltrated with
local anesthetic. The patient was placed prone, his scalp and
face were prepped and draped in sterile fashion. I excised the
lesion as drawn to include the galea. Hemostasis was achieved
,with the Bovie cautery. Pathologic analysis showed the margins
to be clear. I incised the Yin-Yang flaps and elevated them with
the underlying galea. Hemostasis was achieved in the donor
site using Bovie cautery. The flap rotated into the defect with
total measurements of 2.9 cm x 3.2 cm. The donor sites were
closed and the flaps inset in layers using 4-0 Monocryl and the
skin stapler. Loupe magnification was used. The patient
tolerated the procedure well.
What CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes are reported?
a. 14040, C44.42
b. 14041, C44.49
c. 14020, C44.42
d. 14060, C43.39
The patient is here because the cyst in her chest has come to a
head and is still painful even though she has been on
antibiotics for a week. I offered to drain it for her. After obtaining
consent, we infiltrated the area with 1 cc of 1% lidocaine with
epinephrine, prepped the area with Betadine and incised and
opened the cyst in the relaxed skin tension lines of her chest,
and removed the cystic material. There was no obvious
purulence. We are going to have her clean this with a Q-tip. We
will let it heal on its own and eventually excise it. I will have her
come back a week from Tuesday to reschedule surgery. What
CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes are reported?
, a. 10060, L72.9
b. 10140, L70.1
c. 10061, L72.9
d. 10160, R22.2 - correct answer-a. 10060, L72.9
What is the acromion?
a. Ligament near the knee
b. Tendon in the shoulder
c. Part of the elbow joint
d. Extension of the scapula - correct answer-d. Extension of the
scapula
The patient presents today for closed reduction of a nasal
fracture. The depressed right nasal bone was elevated using
heavy reduction forceps while the left nasal bone was pushed
to the midline. This resulted in good alignment of the external
nasal dorsum. What CPT® code is reported for this procedure?
a. 21325
b. 21315
c. 21320
EXAM 2026/2027 ACTUAL QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS.
Melanin is found in what layer of the epidermis?
a. Epithelium
b. Dermal
c. Squamous
d. Basal - correct answer-d. Basal
Rationale: Scattered throughout the basal layer of the
epidermis are cells called melanocytes, which produce the
pigment melanin, one of the main contributors to skin color.
c. 14020, C44.42
Rationale: In the CPT® codebook, Yin-Yang flap repair falls
under Adjacent Tissue Transfer codes. Look in the CPT® Index
for Skin Graft and Flap/Tissue Transfer which directs you to
code range 14000-14350. Based on the measurement
calculating to 9.28 cm² (2.9 cm x 3.2 cm = 9.28 cm²) and the
location of the scalp, the correct CPT® code is 14020. In the
ICD-10-CM code book go to the Table of Neoplasms and look
,for skin NOS/scalp/squamous cell carcinoma/Malignant Primary
column and you are referred to C44.42. Verify code selection in
the Tabular List. - correct answer-Operative Report
PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Squamous cell carcinoma,
scalp.
POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Squamous carcinoma, scalp.
PROCEDURE PERFORMED: Excision of Squamous cell
carcinoma, scalp with Yin-Yang flap repair
ANESTHESIA: Local, using 4 cc of 1% lidocaine with
epinephrine.
COMPLICATIONS: None.
ESTIMATED BLOOD LOSS: Less than 5 cc.
SPECIMENS: Squamous cell carcinoma, scalp sutured at 12
o'clock, anterior tip
INDICATIONS FOR SURGERY: The patient is a 43-year-old
male patient with a biopsy proven squamous cell carcinoma of
his scalp measuring 2.1 cm. I marked the area for excision with
gross normal margins of 4 mm and I drew my planned Yin-Yang
flap closure. The patient observed these markings in two
mirrors, to understand the surgery and he agreed on the
location. We proceeded with the procedure.
DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE: The area was infiltrated with
local anesthetic. The patient was placed prone, his scalp and
face were prepped and draped in sterile fashion. I excised the
lesion as drawn to include the galea. Hemostasis was achieved
,with the Bovie cautery. Pathologic analysis showed the margins
to be clear. I incised the Yin-Yang flaps and elevated them with
the underlying galea. Hemostasis was achieved in the donor
site using Bovie cautery. The flap rotated into the defect with
total measurements of 2.9 cm x 3.2 cm. The donor sites were
closed and the flaps inset in layers using 4-0 Monocryl and the
skin stapler. Loupe magnification was used. The patient
tolerated the procedure well.
What CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes are reported?
a. 14040, C44.42
b. 14041, C44.49
c. 14020, C44.42
d. 14060, C43.39
The patient is here because the cyst in her chest has come to a
head and is still painful even though she has been on
antibiotics for a week. I offered to drain it for her. After obtaining
consent, we infiltrated the area with 1 cc of 1% lidocaine with
epinephrine, prepped the area with Betadine and incised and
opened the cyst in the relaxed skin tension lines of her chest,
and removed the cystic material. There was no obvious
purulence. We are going to have her clean this with a Q-tip. We
will let it heal on its own and eventually excise it. I will have her
come back a week from Tuesday to reschedule surgery. What
CPT® and ICD-10-CM codes are reported?
, a. 10060, L72.9
b. 10140, L70.1
c. 10061, L72.9
d. 10160, R22.2 - correct answer-a. 10060, L72.9
What is the acromion?
a. Ligament near the knee
b. Tendon in the shoulder
c. Part of the elbow joint
d. Extension of the scapula - correct answer-d. Extension of the
scapula
The patient presents today for closed reduction of a nasal
fracture. The depressed right nasal bone was elevated using
heavy reduction forceps while the left nasal bone was pushed
to the midline. This resulted in good alignment of the external
nasal dorsum. What CPT® code is reported for this procedure?
a. 21325
b. 21315
c. 21320
