Comprehensive CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II medical coding knowledge for the AAPC Certified Professional Coder exam, with a worked explanation on every practice question.
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lock_openFree sampleCPT Surgery and Modifiersmedium
In a single operative session, one general surgeon performs an open initial inguinal hernia repair (CPT 49505) and, through a separate incision, excises a subcutaneous lipoma of the back measuring 4 cm (CPT 21930). Both are distinct procedures with their own work; the hernia repair carries the higher relative value. How should the coder flag the multiple-procedure relationship on the claim?
CPT 49505 - open repair, initial inguinal hernia, age 5 or older
CPT 21930 - excision, subcutaneous soft tissue tumour, back or flank, 3 cm or greater
- AAppend modifier 51 to CPT 21930, the lipoma excisioncheck_circle Correct
- BAppend modifier 51 to CPT 49505, the inguinal hernia repair
- CAppend modifier 59 to CPT 21930, the lipoma excision
- DAppend modifier 22 to CPT 21930, the lipoma excision
Modifier 51 attaches to the additional, lower-valued procedure when one surgeon performs multiple procedures in the same session. When a single surgeon performs several separately reportable procedures at one session, the highest-valued procedure is billed at full value and each lesser procedure carries modifier 51, which triggers multiple-procedure payment reduction rather than signalling a bundling exception.
Why A is correct: Modifier 51 identifies the additional, lower-valued procedure performed in the same session by the same surgeon, so it belongs on 21930 while the primary 49505 is reported without it.
Why B is wrong: Modifier 51 signals a secondary procedure, but 49505 is the higher-valued primary procedure and stays unmodified; placing 51 on the primary reverses the intended sequencing.
Why C is wrong: Modifier 59 marks a distinct procedural service that would otherwise be bundled by an NCCI edit; these two codes are not an edit pair, so 59 is the wrong tool and 51 is what the multiple-procedure situation calls for.
Why D is wrong: Modifier 22 reports substantially increased work within one procedure, but the note documents two routine procedures, not extraordinary effort on the excision, so 22 is unsupported.
lock_openFree sampleAnesthesia and Evaluation and Managementhard
A 68-year-old man is admitted for a primary total knee arthroplasty (CPT 27447) of the left knee under general anaesthesia. The operative record documents an open replacement of the entire knee joint with a prosthesis, and the anaesthetist provides care for the whole procedure. Which anaesthesia code best reports the service?
27447 - total knee arthroplasty (surgical code being anaesthetised)
- A01480 - anaesthesia, open procedures on bones of the lower leg, ankle, and foot.
- B01402 - anaesthesia, knee joint procedures, total knee arthroplasty.check_circle Correct
- C01214 - anaesthesia, arthroplasty procedures on the hip joint.
- D01400 - anaesthesia, open procedures on the knee joint, not otherwise specified.
Select the anaesthesia code that most specifically matches the surgical procedure documented in the note. Anaesthesia codes are chosen by the body site and the specific procedure being anaesthetised, so 01402 as the dedicated total knee arthroplasty code is preferred over the less specific open-knee code and over codes for other regions.
Why A is wrong: Tempting because the knee sits at the top of the lower leg, but this code covers bones of the lower leg, ankle, and foot, not replacement of the knee joint itself, so it does not match the documented arthroplasty.
Why B is correct: This code specifically reports anaesthesia for total knee arthroplasty, which is exactly the open joint replacement documented, and it carries the base value that matches that work.
Why C is wrong: Tempting as another lower-limb joint replacement carrying a high base value, but it describes anaesthesia for hip procedures, and the note records the knee joint rather than the hip.
Why D is wrong: Tempting because it also covers open knee anaesthesia, but a more specific code exists for total knee arthroplasty, and CPT requires the most specific matching code rather than the not-otherwise-specified option.
lock_openFree sampleAnatomy, Medical Terminology, and Coding Guidelinesmedium
A gastroenterologist dictates: 'Patient presents with dysphagia. Barium study confirms narrowing at the gastro-oesophageal junction.' A coder must map the anatomical term describing where the operative field lies. Which structures form the junction the note references?
- AThe distal oesophagus meeting the proximal (cardiac) portion of the stomachcheck_circle Correct
- BThe proximal oesophagus meeting the lower pharynx behind the larynx
- CThe distal stomach (pylorus) meeting the first part of the duodenum
- DThe gastric fundus meeting the greater curvature along the spleen
Decode the root gastro-oesophageal to locate where the oesophagus joins the cardia of the stomach. The combining form gastro- refers to the stomach and oesophageal to the oesophagus, so a gastro-oesophageal junction is anatomically the point where the distal oesophagus meets the cardiac region of the stomach, which is why reflux and lower-oesophageal strictures localise there.
Why A is correct: The gastro-oesophageal junction is where the distal oesophagus joins the cardia of the stomach, exactly the narrowing the barium study localises.
Why B is wrong: This describes the pharyngo-oesophageal junction near the upper oesophageal sphincter, tempting because it is also an oesophageal boundary, but it sits at the neck, not the stomach.
Why C is wrong: This is the gastroduodenal junction; the prefix gastro can mislead, but the note names the oesophageal end of the stomach, not the duodenal end.
Why D is wrong: The fundus and greater curvature are gastric regions, not a junction with another organ, so this misreads 'junction' as a surface landmark.
More free CPC practice questions with worked answersFrequently asked questions
- How many questions are on the CPC exam?
- The AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam has 100 questions and runs for 240 minutes. The format is multiple choice, open book with approved code manuals.
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- The pass mark is 70%. Examworthy gives you a per-domain readiness score so you can see which domains are holding you back before you book.
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- The exam costs 399 USD to sit. Practising on Examworthy is free to start, with a worked explanation on every question.
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- Yes. Examworthy's exam mode runs a timed CPC practice exam (mock) paced to match the real exam, scored per domain so you can see exactly where you stand against the blueprint. Timed mocks are free with an account.
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Examworthy is not affiliated with or endorsed by AAPC. All questions are original, blueprint-aligned practice material. We never reproduce live exam items. CPC and related marks belong to their respective owners.
