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AAPC CPC Exam Questions
- Topic 1: The Business of Medicine: This section of the exam measures the skills of medical coders and covers foundational knowledge regarding the healthcare system, reimbursement models, insurance payers, HIPAA compliance, and the ethical responsibilities coders hold within clinical and billing environments. It establishes the context in which coding decisions directly affect healthcare operations and financial outcomes.
- Topic 2: Review of Anatomy: This section of the exam measures the skills of coding specialists and covers a high-level understanding of human anatomy. It includes organs, systems, directional terminology, and anatomical locations, enabling coders to link procedures and diagnoses to the correct bodily structures with accuracy and consistency.
- Topic 3: Overview of ICD-10-CM: This section of the exam measures the skills of medical coders and introduces the structure, format, and usage of the ICD-10-CM coding system. It reviews the purpose of ICD-10-CM in diagnosis reporting and prepares candidates to interpret chapters, code ranges, and conventions embedded in the system.
- Topic 4: Applying the ICD-10-CM Guidelines: This section of the exam measures the skills of coding specialists and covers how to apply official ICD-10-CM guidelines to real-world coding scenarios. It emphasizes the hierarchy of instructional notes, general and chapter-specific rules, and how to make judgment calls within compliant coding frameworks.
- Topic 5: Accurate ICD-10-CM Coding: This section of the exam measures the skills of medical coders and focuses on the precise assignment of diagnosis codes using the ICD-10-CM system. The goal is to ensure accurate representation of patient conditions, proper sequencing, and a clear linkage between diagnoses and services.
- Topic 6: Introduction to CPT®, HCPCS Level II, and Modifiers: This section of the exam measures the skills of coding specialists and introduces candidates to CPT® coding for procedures, HCPCS Level II for supplies and services, and the correct use of modifiers. It helps learners distinguish between different code sets and understand their place in medical billing.
- Topic 7: Integumentary System: This section of the exam measures the skills of medical coders and covers procedures related to the skin and related structures. Topics include excisions, biopsies, repairs, and destruction services, focusing on accurate code selection and modifier usage for integumentary interventions.
- Topic 8: Musculoskeletal System: This section of the exam measures the skills of coding specialists and focuses on coding procedures involving bones, joints, muscles, and tendons. It covers surgeries, reductions, arthroscopies, and fracture treatments, emphasizing accurate mapping of procedures to anatomical areas.
- Topic 9: Respiratory System: This section of the exam measures the skills of medical coders and evaluates the ability to code procedures involving the nose, sinuses, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. Attention is given to services like endoscopies, excisions, and resections within the respiratory tract.
- Topic 10: Cardiovascular System: This section of the exam measures the skills of coding specialists and addresses services related to the heart, arteries, and veins. It involves the coding of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including catheterizations, bypasses, and repairs.: Hemic & Lymphatic Systems, Mediastinum, Diaphragm: This section of the exam measures the skills of medical coders and includes procedures related to the spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, as well as surgical interventions in the mediastinum and diaphragm. Coders must differentiate procedures by region and system accurately.
- Topic 11: Digestive System: This section of the exam measures the skills of coding specialists and evaluates the coding of surgeries and procedures involving the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and related organs. Understanding endoscopic procedures is particularly critical here.
- Topic 12: Urinary System and Male Genital System: This section of the exam measures the skills of medical coders and assesses understanding of procedures on kidneys, bladder, ureters, prostate, and male reproductive organs. Proper use of CPT codes for surgical and diagnostic interventions is tested.
- Topic 13: Female Reproductive System and Maternity Care & Delivery: This section of the exam measures the skills of coding specialists and evaluates coding accuracy for gynecological and obstetric procedures. It includes deliveries, antepartum care, cesarean sections, and surgical procedures involving female reproductive anatomy.
- Topic 14: Endocrine System and Nervous System: This section of the exam measures the skills of medical coders and assesses the ability to assign codes for surgeries involving glands, the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Procedures like resections and electrical stimulation are part of the evaluated content.
- Topic 15: Special Senses (Ocular and Auditory): This section of the exam measures the skills of coding specialists and covers the coding of procedures related to the eyes and ears. Topics include surgeries on the cornea, retina, and middle/inner ear, as well as related diagnostic procedures.
- Topic 16: Anesthesia: This section of the exam measures the skills of medical coders and involves coding anesthesia services based on surgical site, complexity, and time. It tests the understanding of anesthesia modifiers and the importance of linking anesthesia codes with the correct primary procedures.
- Topic 17: Radiology: This section of the exam measures the skills of coding specialists and focuses on diagnostic imaging procedures including X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, and nuclear medicine. It emphasizes proper selection of codes based on anatomical site and modality used.
- Topic 18: Pathology & Laboratory: This section of the exam measures the skills of medical coders and includes lab tests, specimen analysis, and pathological examination procedures. It ensures that coders understand how to apply codes for chemistry panels, cultures, and histopathological diagnostics.
- Topic 19: Evaluation & Management Services: This section of the exam measures the skills of coding specialists and covers office visits, hospital care, consultations, and other E/M services. It tests the understanding of time-based coding, medical decision-making, and history/exam components per current CMS guidelines.
Free AAPC CPC Exam Actual Questions
Note: Premium Questions for CPC were last updated On Sep. 25, 2026 (see below)
A patient in a radiology facility has an X-ray examination of her thoracolumbar junction due to pain while playing golf. The patient also has limited mobility in the hip. A radiologist takes a two view of the thoracolumbar junction.
What CPT code is reported'
72080 -- Radiologic examination, spine; thoracolumbar junction, 2 views
Correct anatomy and number of views
Why Other Options Are Incorrect:
72020 -- Single view only
72114 / 72084 -- Standing or scoliosis series
A 67-year-old male presents with DJD and spondylolisthesis at L4-L5 The patient is placed prone on the operating table and, after induction of general anesthesia, the lower back is sterilely prepped and draped. One incision was made over L1-L5. This was confirmed with a probe under fluoroscopy. Laminectomies are done at vertebral segments L4 and L5 with facetectomies to relieve pressure to the nerve roots. Allograft was packed in the gutters from L1-L5 for a posterior arthrodesis. Pedicle screws were placed at L2, L3, and L4. The construct was copiously irrigated and muscle; fascia and skin were closed in layers.
Select the procedure codes for this scenario.
Laminectomy and Facetectomy (63047 and 63048): The laminectomies at L4 and L5 with facetectomies fall under CPT codes 63047 (for the initial segment) and 63048 (for each additional segment).
Posterior Arthrodesis (22612 and 22614 x 3): The posterior arthrodesis from L1-L5 is coded with 22612 for the primary segment (L4-L5) and 22614 for each additional segment (L1-L4).
Placement of Pedicle Screws (22842): The placement of pedicle screws at L2, L3, and L4 is captured under CPT code 22842 for segmental instrumentation.
AMA's CPT Professional Edition (current year)
ICD-10-CM (current year)
HCPCS Level II (current year)
What ICD-10-CM coding is reported for a patient who has hypertension and CKD stage 2?
When hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are documented together, ICD-10-CM assumes a cause-and-effect relationship.
I12.9 = Hypertensive chronic kidney disease with stage 1--4 CKD
N18.2 = CKD stage 2
I12.0 is only for CKD stage 5 or ESRD, which does not apply here.
Therefore, the correct code combination is I12.9, N18.2.
Refer to the exhibit.
Refer to the supplemental information when answering this question:
View MR 005271
What CPT coding is reported?
CPT Code 55706: Biopsy, prostate; needle, transperineal, stereotactic template guided saturation sampling, including imaging guidance.
This code accurately describes the procedure performed. The documentation clearly states that a stereotactic template was used to guide the biopsy needles, and multiple samples were taken (saturation biopsies). This code includes imaging guidance.
CPT Code 76942: Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (e.g., biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device), imaging supervision and interpretation.
Although 55706 includes imaging guidance, code 76942 is also reported separately because the transrectal ultrasound provided initial diagnostic images and was then used for guidance during the biopsy. This is supported by the documentation which states 'Using a B & K ultrasound probe, a transrectal ultrasound of the prostate was obtained. Once this was done...a biopsy needle is inserted into the prostate...under ultrasound guidance.' This indicates distinct uses of the ultrasound.
Important Note: While some sources suggest that 76942 and the diagnostic transrectal ultrasound code (76872) are bundled, it's crucial to consult the latest National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits for the most up-to-date guidance.
CPT Code 55706: Biopsy, prostate; needle, transperineal, stereotactic template guided saturation sampling, including imaging guidance
CPT Code 76942: Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (e.g., biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device), imaging supervision and interpretation
AAPC Coder's Desk Reference: This resource provides detailed information on coding guidelines and procedures.
NCCI Edits: Always check the most current NCCI edits to confirm coding combinations.
Patient has cervical spondylosis with myelopathy. The surgeon performed a bilateral posterior laminectomy with facetectomies at each level and foraminotomies performed between interspaces C5-C6 and C6-C7. Bilateral decompression of the nerve roots is achieved.
What CPT coding is reported?
Cervical spondylosis with myelopathy: Condition requiring decompressive surgery.
Bilateral posterior laminectomy, facetectomies, foraminotomies: Procedures performed to decompress nerve roots.
Interspaces C5-C6 and C6-C7: Specific levels where the procedures were performed.
CPT code 63045 is used for the initial cervical laminectomy, and 63048 is for each additional segment. The combination covers the decompression across two interspaces.
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