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AAPC CPC Exam - Topic 1 Question 32 Discussion

Posted by Annette on Sep 10, 2024 at 09:29 AM

View MR 005398

MR 005398

Operative Report

Preoperative Diagnosis: Nonfunctioning right kidney with ureteral stricture.

Postoperative Diagnosis: Nonfunctioning right kidney with ureteral stricture.

Procedure: Right nephrectomy with partial ureterectomy.

Findings and Procedure: Under satisfactory general anesthesia, the patient was placed in the right flank position. Right flank and abdomen were prepared and draped out of the sterile field. Skin incision was made between the 11th and 12th ribs laterally. The incision was carried down through the underlying subcutaneous tissues, muscles, and fasci

a. The right retroperitoneal space was entered. Using blunt and sharp dissection, the right kidney was freed circumferentially. The right artery, vein, and ureter were identified. The ureter was dissected downward where it is completely obstructed in its distal extent. The ureter was clipped and divided distally. The right renal artery was then isolated and divided between 0 silk suture ligatures. The right renal vein was also ligated with suture ligatures and 0 silk ties. The right kidney and ureter were then submitted for pathologic evaluation. The operative field was inspected, and there was no residual bleeding noted, and then it was carefully irrigated with sterile water. Wound closure was then undertaken using 0 Vicryl for the fascial layers, 0 Vicryl for the muscular layers, 2-0 chromic for subcutaneous tissue, and clips for the skin. A Penrose drain was brought out through the dependent aspect of the incision. The patient lost minimal blood and tolerated the procedure well.

What CPT coding is reported for this case?

Suggested Answer: B

The procedure involves a right nephrectomy with partial ureterectomy for a nonfunctioning right kidney with ureteral stricture.

Procedure Description:

Right nephrectomy (removal of the kidney).

Partial ureterectomy (removal of part of the ureter).

CPT Coding:

50220: Nephrectomy, including partial ureterectomy, any open approach.


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40 comments · newest first
EV
Evangelina 10 months ago
Why would they use 50240 instead of 50230?
AL
Alise 11 months ago
I agree, 50240 seems right!
NA
Nancey 11 months ago
Wait, is it really that straightforward?
EL
Elke 11 months ago
Definitely think it's 50240 for this one.
HE
Heike 11 months ago
Right nephrectomy with ureterectomy, got it.
FR
Freeman 12 months ago
I recall that 50220 is for a simple nephrectomy, but this one has a ureteral stricture, so I’m uncertain if that changes the code.
NI
Nida 12 months ago
I feel like 50234 is for more complex cases, but since this is a right nephrectomy with ureterectomy, I’m leaning towards 50230.
DO
Dorcas 12 months ago
I think we practiced a similar question where the procedure involved a nephrectomy, and I want to say it was 50240, but I could be mixing it up.
LE
Leeann 1 year ago
I remember studying nephrectomy codes, but I'm not entirely sure if it's 50220 or 50230 for this case.
WI
William 1 year ago
I think the key is identifying the primary procedure, which appears to be a nephrectomy. Then I'll need to consider any additional components like the ureterectomy to select the most accurate CPT code.
MI
Mitsue 1 year ago
I'm a little unsure about the partial ureterectomy component - I'll need to review the CPT code descriptions to determine the best match for the full procedure performed.
GO
Goldie 1 year ago
Okay, let me review the procedure details carefully and think through the appropriate CPT code. I want to make sure I get this right.
VE
Veta 1 year ago
This looks like a straightforward nephrectomy case, so I'm pretty confident I can identify the correct CPT code.
ER
Ernest 1 year ago
Hmm, the question mentions a partial ureterectomy as well, so I'll need to double-check the coding options to make sure I don't miss anything.
WA
Wade 1 year ago
I've got a good handle on this topic, so I feel confident I can identify the three principles that best fit the scenario described in the question. I'll need to carefully review the options and select the ones that most accurately capture the essential elements of a strategic risk assessment for the storage environment.
VA
Vannessa 2 years ago
Wait, is this a trick question? Maybe the answer is 'none of the above' and they're testing our ability to read the fine print!
SH
Shayne 2 years ago
↳ replying to Vannessa
I agree, let's carefully review the procedure and then decide on the most appropriate CPT code.
KR
Kris 2 years ago
↳ replying to Vannessa
That's a good point, let's double-check the details in the report to make sure we're selecting the correct CPT code.
JA
Jacqueline 2 years ago
↳ replying to Vannessa
I think it might be 'none of the above' since the answer options don't seem to match the procedure described in the report.
LE
Lenna 2 years ago
↳ replying to Vannessa
Maybe you're right, it could be a trick question to see if we're paying attention to details.
GE
Georgeanna 2 years ago
↳ replying to Vannessa
D) 50240
LA
Lanie 2 years ago
↳ replying to Vannessa
C) 50230
DE
Deandrea 2 years ago
↳ replying to Vannessa
B) 50220
QU
Queenie 2 years ago
↳ replying to Vannessa
A) 50234
LO
Louvenia 2 years ago
I believe 50234 is the right choice because it involves nephrectomy and partial ureterectomy.
NE
Nelida 2 years ago
I'm not sure, but I think it could also be 50240.
AV
Avery 2 years ago
I agree, 50234 seems to be the most appropriate code for this case.
ED
Edna 2 years ago
This is a tricky one, but I think 50230 is the way to go. The partial ureterectomy is the key detail that sets it apart from a simple nephrectomy.
JA
Jarod 2 years ago
I'm going with 50220. It's a nephrectomy, and the report mentions the kidney was 'nonfunctioning', so it's likely a simple nephrectomy.
EL
Elinore 2 years ago
↳ replying to Jarod
That's a good point, maybe we should reconsider the code choice.
KI
Kimbery 2 years ago
↳ replying to Jarod
But what about the partial ureterectomy mentioned in the procedure?
ME
Merissa 2 years ago
↳ replying to Jarod
I agree, the report does mention a nephrectomy for a nonfunctioning kidney.
AR
Ardella 2 years ago
↳ replying to Jarod
I think 50220 is the correct code for this case.
LA
Lamar 2 years ago
I think the correct CPT code is 50234.
TA
Tamra 2 years ago
Hmm, I'm not so sure. The question says 'What CPT coding is reported for this case?' and the options include 50234, which seems more specific to the procedure described.
EV
Evangelina 2 years ago
↳ replying to Tamra
User 2
MI
Mitsue 2 years ago
↳ replying to Tamra
User 1
FE
Fernanda 2 years ago
I think the correct code is 50240. The operative report clearly states that a right nephrectomy with partial ureterectomy was performed.
CA
Carrol 2 years ago
↳ replying to Fernanda
User2
CO
Coletta 2 years ago
↳ replying to Fernanda
User1
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