When the physician indicates that the patient's signs and symptoms may closely lead to two different diagnoses and using the word versus or or between two diagnostic statements this is known as a/an:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The use of "versus" or "or" between two diagnostic statements suggests that the physician is considering multiple options and is unsure of the final diagnosis. This is known as a differential diagnosis. Combination codes, unspecified codes, and specified NEC codes do not accurately reflect this uncertainty in diagnosis.

When the Physician Indicates That the Patient's Signs and Symptoms