Certified Healthcare Technology Specialist (CHTS) Process Workflow & Information Management Redesign Practice Exam

What coding system would be used to report a diagnosis of appendicitis after an appendectomy?

1. ICD10CM

2. ICD9CM

3. SNOMED CT

4. LOINC

The correct answer is: ICD9CM

The appropriate coding system to report a diagnosis of appendicitis after an appendectomy is ICD10CM. This coding system is currently the standard in the U.S. for recording and classifying diagnoses and health-related problems. ICD-10-CM is specifically designed to capture detailed information on the patient's diagnosis, including both the condition that led to the hospitalization (appendicitis) and any subsequent health care encounters following treatment (like an appendectomy). ICD-9-CM, on the other hand, has been replaced by ICD-10-CM and is no longer used for reporting diagnoses in most healthcare settings. SNOMED CT and LOINC serve different purposes; SNOMED CT is used for electronic health record systems to provide clinical terminologies, while LOINC is used primarily for laboratory test results and clinical observations. Thus, in the context of reporting a diagnosis after an appendectomy, ICD-10-CM is the relevant coding system to use.