Medical Coding Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

Code sets: FY 2027 ICD-10-CM, CY 2026 CPT and HCPCS Level II.

Try these five questions before reading the answers.

Questions

1. A patient has hypertension and chronic kidney disease stage 3a. The provider does not state the conditions are unrelated. How is this coded?

2. Which ICD-10-CM instructional note does NOT require a particular sequencing order: “code first,” “use additional code,” or “code also”?

3. In the CPT code book, what does a triangle symbol next to a code indicate?

4. What is the uncertain-diagnosis rule for outpatient coding?

5. Which HCPCS level contains codes for supplies, drugs, and durable medical equipment?

Answers and rationales

1. I12.9 and N18.31. ICD-10-CM presumes a causal relationship between hypertension and CKD. Assign a code from category I12 when both are present, with a code from N18 to identify the stage, unless the provider documents that the CKD is not related to the hypertension (FY 2027 ICD-10-CM Guidelines, Section I.C.9.a.2). Stage 3a is N18.31.

2. “Code also.” “Code first” and “use additional code” notes tell you the sequencing. A “code also” note tells you two codes may be needed but does not set the order; sequencing depends on the circumstances of the encounter (Section I.A.12.b).

3. A revised code. The triangle marks a code whose descriptor changed in the current edition. A bullet marks a new code, and the plus sign marks an add-on code.

4. Do not code it. In the outpatient setting, do not code conditions documented as probable, suspected, questionable, or rule out. Code the signs, symptoms, or findings instead (Section IV.H). Inpatient hospital coding follows a different rule.

5. HCPCS Level II. Level I is CPT. Level II covers supplies, drugs, DME, ambulance services, and other items and services not in CPT.

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Refreshed from the CCO Community archive, November 2026.