Free Preparation Discussions
MENU
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 May. 01, 2026 (see below)
An 87-year-old male with a history of atrioventricular block and prior dual-chamber pacemaker implantation presents to the cardiology clinic for an in-person device evaluation. The physician performs a full electronic analysis of the pacemaker system, assessing atrial and ventricular lead function, battery status, sensing thresholds, and pacing thresholds. After the assessment, the pacemaker settings are adjusted to optimize heart rate response. The patient tolerates the procedure well and is advised to return for routine follow-up.
What CPT code is reported?
80324 -- Drug test(s), definitive, qualitative or quantitative, LC/MS; acetaminophen
LC-MS = definitive testing
Acetaminophen is specifically identified by 80324
Why others are incorrect:
60143 / 80299 -- Therapeutic drug assays (obsolete or nonspecific)
B0329 -- HCPCS code (not appropriate here)
Refer to the supplemental information when answering this question:
View MR 138093
What E/M coding is reported?
This patient presents to the ER with syncope, requiring a comprehensive evaluation and critical care. Here's the breakdown of the codes:
CPT Code 99291-25: Critical care, evaluation and management of the critically ill or critically injured patient; first 30-74 minutes
This code is appropriate because the patient's syncope and vital signs (low blood pressure, shallow respirations, low oxygen saturation) indicate a critical condition requiring immediate intervention.
Modifier -25: Significant, Separately Identifiable Evaluation and Management Service by the Same Physician on the Same Day of the Procedure or Other Service. This modifier is appended because the critical care services were provided in addition to the separately reported procedures below.
CPT Code 92950: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eg, CPR, external cardiac massage, endotracheal intubation, ventilation)
While the documentation doesn't explicitly mention CPR, it states the patient was unresponsive upon arrival but had spontaneous pulse and respirations. This suggests possible resuscitation efforts were performed by the paramedics before the physician's assessment.
CPT Code 31500: Intubation, endotracheal, emergency procedure
Although not explicitly stated, the documentation indicates the patient was placed on 'high flow oxygen,' which strongly suggests endotracheal intubation was performed to manage the patient's respiratory distress.
CPT Code 82803: Blood gases, arterial, pH, PCO2, PO2, with oxygen saturation; interpretation and report
This code is likely reported based on the patient's respiratory distress and the need to monitor their oxygenation status.
Why other options are incorrect:
99285: This is a standard emergency department visit code and doesn't capture the critical nature of the patient's condition.
99285-25, 99291-25, 92950, 31500, 82803: This includes 99285, which is not necessary as 99291 encompasses the evaluation and management.
99291-25, 99292-25, 92950, 31500: This includes 99292, which is for subsequent critical care time. There's no indication in the documentation that the physician provided critical care beyond the initial 74 minutes.
CPT Codes 99281-99285: Emergency department visits
CPT Codes 99291-99292: Critical care services
CPT Code 92950: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CPT Code 31500: Endotracheal intubation
CPT Code 82803: Arterial blood gases
AAPC Coder's Desk Reference: This resource provides detailed information on coding guidelines and procedures.
The Medicare program has multiple parts covering different services. Which part provides coverage for outpatient physician charges?
Medicare Part B provides coverage for outpatient services, including physician services, preventive care, outpatient procedures, diagnostic tests, and durable medical equipment. Part B is a key component of Medicare, covering medically necessary services and some preventive services.
A . Part C (Medicare Advantage) includes all benefits and services covered under Parts A and B and often additional services, but it is provided through private insurance companies.
C . Part A covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health services.
D . Part D provides coverage for prescription drugs.
Therefore, the correct answer is B. Part B.
A patient is seen at the doctor's office for nausea, vomiting, and sharp right lower abdominal pain. CT scan of the abdomen is ordered. Labs come back indicating an increased WBC count with review of the abdominal CT scan. The physician determines the patient has a ruptured appendicitis. The physician schedules an appendectomy and takes the patient to the operating room. The appendix is severed from the intestines and removed via scope inserted through an umbilical incision. What CPT and diagnosis codes are reported?
Procedure Coding:
44970 -- Laparoscopic appendectomy
Appendix removed via scope through umbilical incision, confirming laparoscopic approach
Diagnosis Coding:
K35.32 -- Acute appendicitis with perforation and localized peritonitis, without abscess
Documentation supports ruptured (perforated) appendicitis
No abscess documented
Why Other Options Are Incorrect:
B -- Signs/symptoms (R11.2, R10.31) not coded once definitive diagnosis is established
C -- 44960 = open appendectomy (not performed)
D -- 44950 = open appendectomy, diagnosis code incorrect
ICD-10-CM Guideline Reference:
Do not code symptoms when a definitive diagnosis is confirmed.
A patient suffers a ruptured infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm requiring emergent endovascular repair. An aorto-aortic tube endograft is positioned in the aorta and a balloon dilation is performed at the proximal and distal seal zones of the endograft. The balloon angioplasty is performed for endoleak treatment.
What CPT code does the vascular surgeon use to report the procedure?
The emergent endovascular repair of an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm with an aorto-aortic tube endograft is coded with CPT 34702. This code includes the deployment of the endograft and the necessary balloon angioplasty for sealing the proximal and distal attachment zones.
AMA's CPT Professional Edition (current year)
- Select Question Types you want
- Set your Desired Pass Percentage
- Allocate Time (Hours : Minutes)
- Create Multiple Practice tests with Limited Questions
- Customer Support
Karen Williams
10 days agoJohn Green
7 hours agoPatricia Turner
6 days agoCurtis
28 days agoKimberely
1 month agoJudy
1 month agoMozell
2 months agoShawana
2 months agoGerry
2 months agoAbel
3 months agoKip
3 months agoToi
3 months agoJoesph
3 months agoJose
4 months agoValentin
4 months agoAn
4 months agoDelisa
4 months agoDolores
5 months agoCassi
5 months agoDelila
5 months agoLaura
5 months agoLashon
6 months agoEllsworth
6 months agoSharika
6 months agoMargret
6 months agoStefany
7 months agoVallie
7 months agoVivan
7 months agoBonita
7 months agoTomoko
7 months agoAudra
8 months agoJohna
8 months agoLorean
8 months agoAnnabelle
10 months agoArdella
10 months agoIvette
11 months agoLai
11 months agoCatina
1 year agoDenae
1 year agoFrancoise
1 year agoElfrieda
1 year agoMozelle
1 year agoCarry
1 year agoNichelle
1 year agoJannette
1 year agoMerilyn
1 year agoRolland
1 year agoEnola
1 year agoMerri
1 year agoAllene
1 year agoTamie
1 year agoTamar
1 year agoKiley
1 year agoElvera
1 year agoBuffy
1 year agoNikita
1 year agoAlona
1 year agoAngelica
1 year agoRefugia
1 year agoMa
2 years agoMelynda
2 years agoDomitila
2 years agoBlossom
2 years agoMyong
2 years agoElroy
2 years agoQuentin
2 years agoTamar
2 years agoAdelina
2 years agoElina
2 years agoVirgie
2 years agoSylvia
2 years agoJunita
2 years agoAntonio
2 years agoKristofer
2 years agoTamera
2 years agoNu
2 years agoSusana
2 years agoBrittni
2 years agoGeraldo
2 years ago