MALIGNANT EXCISIONS CODING AND DOCUMENTATION

Question 1

What is the largest organ system in the body?

Answer 1

The skin

Question 2

What are the two primary layers of the skin?

Answer 2

• Epidermis
• Dermis

Question 3

What does the epidermis contain that gives skin color?

Answer 3

Melanin

Question 4

What are the three main types of cells found in the epidermis?

Answer 4

• Squamous cells
• Basal cells
• Melanocytes

Question 5

What is the function of the dermis?

Answer 5

Performs most of the skin’s functions

Question 6

What are the two layers of the dermis?

Answer 6

• Papillary layer
• Reticular layer

Question 7

What type of glands are present in the dermis?

Answer 7

• Sebaceous glands
• Sweat glands

Question 8

What is subcutaneous tissue primarily composed of?

Answer 8

Fat cells

Question 9

What is a skin lesion?

Answer 9

An area of the skin that has pathologic change compared to the skin around it

Question 10

What are examples of benign lesions?

Answer 10

• Nevus (mole or birthmark)
• Lipoma (fatty lump)

Question 11

What are the two main types of skin cancer?

Answer 11

• Carcinoma
• Melanoma

Question 12

What is required to assign a diagnosis from the neoplasm table?

Answer 12

A pathology report

Question 13

What is the difference between uncertain and unspecified diagnoses?

Answer 13

• Uncertain: analysis by pathologist
• Unspecified: no analysis done

Question 14

What is the most common shape of excision?

Answer 14

Elliptical

Question 15

What is included in the area marked for excision?

Answer 15

An appropriate amount of healthy skin referred to as the margin

Question 16

What happens to the lesion size during excision?

Answer 16

It decreases

Question 17

What is applied to numb the area during the excision procedure?

Answer 17

Local anesthesia

Question 18

What is considered a full thickness excision?

Answer 18

Excision goes through the dermis

Question 19

What should be documented for accurate coding of lesion excision?

Answer 19

• Pathology of the lesion
• Location of the lesion
• Size of the lesion

Question 20

How does CPT recognize lesion measurements?

Answer 20

Uses the metric system

Question 21

How do you calculate the size of a lesion for coding?

Answer 21

Add the lesion size plus the most narrow margins

Question 22

What does CPT code 11400 indicate?

Answer 22

Lesions on trunk, arms, or legs

Question 23

What is the code range for excision of malignant lesions on the face?

Answer 23

11600 through 11646

Question 24

What type of closure is involved in more complex excisions?

Answer 24

Layered closure

Question 25

What is the excised diameter for basal cell carcinoma on the nose in the example provided?

Answer 25

1.4 centimeters

Question 26

What is the code for excision of a benign nevus on the cheek measuring 2.7 centimeters?

Answer 26

11443

Question 27

What is the classification for repairs performed on the face?

Answer 27

Intermediate repairs

Question 28

What ICD-10-CM code is reported for basal cell carcinoma of the skin of the nose?

Answer 28

C44.311

Question 29

Fill in the blank: A compound nevus is located within the _______ and _______.

Answer 29

[epidermis] and [dermis]

Question 30

What ICD-10-CM code is reported for other benign neoplasm of skin of other parts of face?

Answer 30

D23.39