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Main Term - ICD-10-CM - How to find it?

  Patient is admitted to the hospital with streptococcal group B severe sepsis which has caused pneumonia . What codes are assigned? A. A41.9, J15.3, R65.21 B. A41.9, R65.21 C. A40.1, J15.3, R65.20 D. A40.1, J15.3 The systemic infection is strep group b, and the localized infection is pneumonia. A and B are eliminated, because code A41.9 is for unspecified sepsis. Where does pneumonia occur ? – Lungs ( localized ) Where does Group B Strep infection? – Throughout the body ( systemic ) When a patient has a blood test for HIV that is inconclusive , what ICD-10-CM code is assigned a. Z21 b. R75 c. B20 d. Z11.4 Pneumonia due to adenovirus . What ICD-1-CM code is reported a. B34.0 b. J12.0 c. B97.0 d. B30.1 The Main Term leads the coder to the ICD-10-CM code. Finding the main term requires you to read the medical chart carefully and understand the diagnosis.   In the examples above, I have highlighted and colored the main terms to be used to search f...
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  Classes of Drugs Analgesics : Drugs that relieve pain. There are two main types: non-narcotic analgesics for mild pain, and narcotic analgesics for severe pain. Antacids : Drugs that relieve indigestion and heartburn by neutralizing stomach acid. Antianxiety Drugs : Drugs that suppress anxiety and relax muscles (sometimes called anxiolytics, sedatives, or minor tranquilizers). Antiarrhythmics : Drugs used to control irregularities of heartbeat. Antibacterials: Drugs used to treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics : Drugs made from naturally occurring and synthetic substances that combat bacterial infection. Some antibiotics are effective only against limited types of bacteria. Others, known as broad spectrum antibiotics, are effective against a wide range of bacteria. Anticoagulants and Thrombolytics : Anticoagulants prevent blood from clotting. Thrombolytics help dissolve and disperse blood clots and may be prescribed for patients with recent arterial or venou...

Sequela Coding in ICD-10-CM

According to the ICD-10-CM Manual guidelines, a sequela (7th character "S") code cannot be listed as the primary, first listed, or principal diagnosis on a claim, nor can it be the only diagnosis on a claim.  Coding of a sequela requires reporting of the condition or nature of the sequela sequenced first, followed by the sequela (7th character "S") code.  Examples of sequela (7th character "S") diagnosis codes included in this policy: M48.40XS (Fatigue fracture of vertebra, site unspecified, sequela of fracture) S00.279S (Other superficial bite of unspecified eyelid and periocular area, sequela) T36.1X6S (Underdosing of cephalosporins and other beta-lactam antibiotics, sequela)   The codes in Chapter 19 of the ICD10 book are for injury, poisoning, and other consequences of external causes (S00-T88). Many of them require a 7th character to identify the correct ICD10 code for the episode of care: initial, subsequent, or sequela.  Below are hel...

Medical Coding, an excellent career choice!

As we are reeling under the pressure of COVID-19 infection in India, unemployment has reached sky high. Many have tried binge eating, binge cooking and binge watching movies to ward off boredom. So what is an alternative and viable option for our youngsters? Why not try something useful, that will enhance your career, or give a boost to your existing career. Learn something online. Be it a new skill, a new language, or something trending like Medical Coding. Medical Coding is a boon in such testing times. You can learn Medical Coding and re-skill yourself and reshape your career. If you are a graduate looking for an interesting and engrossing profession, Medical Coding checks all the boxes. The basic criteria needed is a college degree. Being tech savvy, which most of the youngsters are already thanks to smart phones, will help you move into this profession quite smoothly. A working knowledge of English is a must, as we receive all the work from USA. Once y...