If the Physician Cannot Determine the Diagnosis at the Time

question 18

Multiple Choice

If the physician cannot determine the diagnosis at the time of the encounter, the coder should:

• A) wait until a definite diagnosis is made.
• B) ask the physician to guess at a possible diagnosis.
• C) code the symptoms, signs, or reason for the encounter.
• D) code any preexisting or coexisting conditions.

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Definitions:

Myocardial Infarction

A medical condition commonly known as a heart attack, resulting from the interruption of blood flow to the heart.

Atrial Fibrillation

A quivering or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications.

Transient Ischemic Attack

Often called a mini-stroke, it's a brief episode of neurological dysfunction caused by loss of blood flow to the brain, spinal cord, or retina, without lasting damage.

Acute Myocardial Infarction

A medical condition that occurs when blood flow to the heart is severely reduced or stopped, leading to heart muscle damage, commonly known as a heart attack.