Procedural and Diagnostic Terminology - Certified Professional Coder CPC

1. Which diagnostic term means malignant tumor of epithelial tissue?

   Carcinoma. Originating from epithelial cells, it is the most common malignancy type, classified by site and histology in coding.

2. Which term means surgical removal of the appendix?

   Appendectomy. The suffix "-ectomy" denotes surgical excision, and "append-" refers to the appendix, making this the standard term for its removal.

3. Which term means acute loss of blood supply resulting in tissue death?

   Infarction. From Latin for "struck in," it signifies necrosis from ischemia, commonly seen in myocardial or cerebral events.

4. Which term best matches "surgical creation of an opening into the stomach" for feeding access?

   Gastrostomy. "Gastro-" indicates the stomach, and "-stomy" means creating an artificial opening, often for nutritional support.

5. Which term means inflammation of the vermiform appendix?

   Appendicitis. "Appendic-" specifies the appendix, and "-itis" indicates inflammation, commonly due to obstruction or infection.

6. Which term means surgical repair of a body part, commonly with suturing?

   Repair (often noted with suffix "-rrhaphy"). The suffix "-rrhaphy" signifies suturing or repair, used for procedures restoring the integrity of damaged tissues or structures.

7. Which term means a blood clot that forms in a vessel and may obstruct flow?

   Thrombus. It forms stationary within a vessel from coagulation factors, potentially leading to occlusion or embolization if dislodged.

8. Which term means inflammation of the gallbladder?

   Cholecystitis. "Cholecyst-" denotes the gallbladder, with "-itis" for inflammation, often caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct.

9. Identify the correct term for "surgical removal of the tonsils" in an operative note.

   Tonsillectomy. "Tonsill-" specifies the tonsils, with "-ectomy" for removal, a common procedure for recurrent infections or obstruction.

10. Which term means surgical removal of the uterus?

    Hysterectomy. The term derives from "hyster-" meaning uterus and "-ectomy" for removal, standard for surgical excision of this organ.

11. What does the procedural term "resection" mean in ICD-10-PCS root operations?

    Cutting out/off all of a body part. In ICD-10-PCS, resection is the root operation for completely removing a body part, such as an organ or structure.

12. Which term means abnormal dilation of an artery due to vessel wall weakness?

    Aneurysm. It results from weakened arterial walls, leading to ballooning that risks rupture or thrombosis if untreated.

13. Which term means inflammation of the pancreas?

    Pancreatitis. "Pancreat-" refers to the pancreas, and "-itis" means inflammation, which can be acute or chronic from various etiologies.

14. Which term means narrowing or constriction of a tubular structure?

    Stenosis. Derived from Greek for "narrow," it describes pathological constriction in vessels, ducts, or passages, impacting flow or function.

15. Which term best matches "incision into the chest wall" as documented in a procedure?

    Thoracotomy. "Thoraco-" denotes the chest, with "-tomy" for incision, providing access for intrathoracic surgeries or explorations.

16. Which term means inflammation of the colon?

    Colitis. "Col-" indicates the colon, combined with "-itis" for inflammation, encompassing conditions like ulcerative or infectious types.

17. What does the procedural term "excision" mean in ICD-10-PCS root operations?

    Cutting out/off a portion of a body part. In ICD-10-PCS, excision is the root operation for removing some but not all of a body part, distinguishing it from resection.

18. Identify the correct term for "endoscopic visual examination of the urinary bladder."

    Cystoscopy. "Cysto-" refers to the bladder, and "-scopy" means visual examination, using an endoscope for diagnostic purposes.

19. Which term means surgical removal of the gallbladder?

    Cholecystectomy. The prefix "cholecyst-" refers to the gallbladder, combined with "-ectomy" for surgical removal, as commonly used in medical procedures.

20. Which term means an abnormal passage between two epithelial-lined structures?

    Fistula. From Latin for "pipe," it denotes an anomalous tract connecting organs or surfaces, often resulting from injury or disease.

21. Which diagnostic term means malignant tumor of connective or soft tissue?

    Sarcoma. Arising from mesenchymal tissues like bone or muscle, it differs from carcinoma in origin and aggressive behavior.

22. Which term means incision into the trachea to create an airway?

    Tracheostomy. "Tracheo-" refers to the trachea, and "-stomy" means creating an opening, typically for establishing an artificial airway.

23. Which term means a localized collection of pus due to infection?

    Abscess. It represents a walled-off infection site where pus accumulates, requiring drainage or antibiotics for resolution.

24. Which term means surgical incision into a body part (without removal)?

    Incision (often noted with suffix "-otomy"). The suffix "-otomy" indicates a surgical cut into an organ or tissue without excision, differentiating it from removal procedures.

25. Which term means a traveling clot or other material that obstructs a vessel at a distant site?

    Embolus. Unlike a stationary thrombus, it detaches and travels, causing occlusion at remote sites like pulmonary arteries.

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