Question 1

Transfusion Medicine codes are located in the Pathology and Laboratory section.

Accepted Answer

Transfusion Medicine codes are located in the Pathology and Laboratory section of the CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) manual.

Question 2

When reporting organ or disease-oriented panels, if all but one of the tests within the panel is substantiated by the physician's documentation, it is acceptable to assign the code with modifier -52 to the code used to report the service.

Accepted Answer

Modifier -52 indicates reduced services or procedures. It should only be used when the entire service or procedure was not completed as planned or when the physician performed less than the full service or procedure. If all but one test within the panel is supported by documentation, the full service was still performed, and modifier -52 should not be used. Instead, each test within the panel should be coded separately, with the one unsupported test excluded.

Question 3

A surgical pathology specimen that is not listed in the pathology code descriptions should be assigned a code that most closely reflects the physician's work involved compared to other specimens assigned to that code.

Accepted Answer

This is accurate information. When a surgical pathology specimen does not have a specific code description, the coder should use their judgment to assign the code that most closely matches the physician's work involved in comparison to other specimens assigned to that code.

Question 4

The postmortem codes 88000-88099 represent physician services only.

Accepted Answer

The postmortem codes 88000-88099 represent physician services only. These codes are used to report diagnostic pathological examinations performed after a patient has died. They are not used for autopsy procedures, which are reported with codes in the range 880.1-880.9.

Question 5

Pathologists have specific codes for clinical pathology consultations.

Accepted Answer

Pathologists use specific codes for clinical pathology consultations in order to accurately document and communicate diagnoses and recommendations with other healthcare professionals involved in a patient's care.

Question 6

What is the name given to grouped laboratory work that represents those tests commonly performed together?

Accepted Answer

Panels are grouped laboratory tests commonly performed together, such as a lipid panel or a comprehensive metabolic panel. Multiples and indicators do not specifically refer to grouped laboratory work, and standing orders are not necessarily grouped tests.

Question 7

In the Pathology/Laboratory section of the CPT, drugs are listed by their ____ names.

Accepted Answer

In the Pathology/Laboratory section of the CPT, drugs are listed by their generic names. This is because different manufacturers may produce the same drug under different brand names, but the drug itself is identified by its chemical composition and generic name.

Question 8

For repeat laboratory tests performed on the same day, the correct modifier is -51.

Accepted Answer

Modifier -51 is used when multiple procedures are performed during the same session or on the same day. For repeat laboratory tests performed on the same day, the correct modifier is -91 or -59, depending on the circumstances.

Question 9

What type of drug test measures the amount of a drug in the specimen?

Accepted Answer

A quantitative drug test measures the level or amount of a drug present in a specimen, such as urine, blood, or hair. This type of test is used to monitor medication levels or to detect drug abuse.

Answer: C)confirmatory 
 A confirmatory drug test is a more specific and accurate test that confirms the presence of a drug in a specimen after a preliminary or screening test has been positive. This type of test can help eliminate false positives and identify the specific drug present.

Answer: D)immunoassay 
 An immunoassay drug test is a screening test that uses antibodies to detect the presence of drugs or their metabolites in a specimen. This type of test is quick and inexpensive but can give false positives due to cross-reactivity with other substances. It is often used as a first step in drug testing programs.

Question 10

When coding chemistry tests, an analyte is measured in multiple specimens from different sources, or in specimens that are obtained at different times, the analyte is reported separately for each source and for each specimen.

Accepted Answer

When measuring an analyte from multiple specimens obtained from different sources or at different times, the results are reported separately for each source and each specimen to accurately reflect any variations in the analyte levels.

Question 11

What is the name of the subsection within Pathology/Laboratory that deals with the laboratory work performed to determine cellular changes?

Accepted Answer

Cytopathology is the subsection within Pathology/Laboratory that deals with the laboratory work performed to determine cellular changes.

Question 12

There are different codes for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) depending on the source of the specimen.

Accepted Answer

This is true. Different codes are used for H. pylori depending on whether it was isolated from a gastric biopsy, stool sample or other source.

Question 13

In Therapeutic Drug Assays (80150-80299), the examination is quantitative.

Accepted Answer

Therapeutic Drug Assays involve measuring the concentration of drugs or their metabolites in a patient's biological specimen, such as blood or urine. This is a quantitative examination as the results provide specific measurements of the drug levels in the body.

Question 14

A service that is rarely provided, unusual, variable, or new would always require a special report in determining medical appropriateness of the service.

Accepted Answer

When a medical service is rare, unusual, variable, or new, there may not be enough evidence to determine its appropriateness for a patient's specific condition. Therefore, a special report would be required to assess the medical necessity and appropriateness of the service before it can be provided.

Question 15

During the evocative suppression testing, the correct codes for the physician's administration of the evocative or suppressive agents are reported depending on the method of administration.

Accepted Answer

During evocative suppression testing, the correct codes for the physician's administration of the evocative or suppressive agents are reported depending on the method of administration, which makes the statement true.

Question 16

What type of drug test measures the presence of a drug in the specimen?

Accepted Answer

Qualitative drug tests provide a simple "yes" or "no" answer as to whether a drug is present in a specimen, without providing the exact amount.

Question 17

When a pathologist provides a consultation involving the examination and evaluation of a patient, the service is reported with 80500 or 80502.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When a pathologist provides a consultation involving...

Question 18

In what section would you locate codes to report venipunctures and arterial punctures?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In what section would you locate codes...

Question 19

How many levels of Surgical Pathology are there?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How many levels of Surgical Pathology are...

Question 20

Services in pathology/laboratory are provided by a physician or by technologists under responsible supervision of a physician.

Accepted Answer

Services in pathology/laboratory are indeed provided by a physician or by technologists under responsible supervision of a physician. This is to ensure accuracy, safety, and quality control of diagnostic testing and interpretation of results.

Quiz 25: Pathology/Laboratory Section