Medical Coding Practice Test

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Prepare for your medical coding certification exam with our comprehensive medical coding test. Access a variety of multiple-choice questions designed to familiarize you with the exam format, test your knowledge, and build your confidence. Get ready to excel!

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What is the main guideline for procedure coding in ICD-9-CM?

Use the most common procedural terms
Locate the main term in a separate index
Consider the patient's symptoms first
Review the patient's dietary needs

The correct answer is: Locate the main term in a separate index

The main guideline for procedure coding in ICD-9-CM is to locate the main term in a separate index. This is because the procedure codes in ICD-9-CM are organized based on the main term describing the procedure. By locating the main term in a separate index, coders can easily find the specific code that corresponds to the procedure performed. This helps ensure accuracy and consistency in procedure coding. The other options are incorrect because: - using the most common procedural terms is not always accurate or specific enough for coding purposes - considering the patient's symptoms first pertains more to diagnosis coding rather than procedure coding - reviewing the patient's dietary needs is important for patient care but is not directly relevant to procedure coding.