Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Quiz: Apply Wound Repair Guidelines
20 questions · exam conditions
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Apply Wound Repair GuidelinesQuestion 1 of 20

A surgeon performs debridement of a wound down to the level of bone on the right heel, covering 8 sq cm. Which CPT® code covers debridement to bone for the first 20 sq cm?

11042
11043
97597
11044
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Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Quiz

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Quiz: Apply Wound Repair Guidelines

Practice Apply Wound Repair Guidelines in Certified Professional Coder (CPC) with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Apply Wound Repair Guidelines, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for Certified Professional Coder (CPC).

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

A surgeon performs debridement of a wound down to the level of bone on the right heel, covering 8 sq cm. Which CPT® code covers debridement to bone for the first 20 sq cm?

  1. 11042
  2. 11043
  3. 97597
  4. 11044 (correct answer)
Explanation: CPT® codes 11042-11047 are classified by tissue depth: 11042 = subcutaneous tissue; 11043 = muscle and/or fascia; 11044 = bone. For debridement to the bone level, 11044 (first 20 sq cm) is the correct code. Add-on code 11047 covers each additional 20 sq cm of bone debridement. The depth of debridement — not just the size of the wound — determines the code level.

Question 2

A surgeon performs a full-thickness skin graft to a 30 sq cm defect on the nose. Which CPT® code range covers full-thickness skin grafts?

  1. 15115-15116
  2. 15120-15121
  3. 15200-15261 (correct answer)
  4. 15271-15278
Explanation: CPT® codes 15200-15261 cover full-thickness skin grafts. Code 15220 covers full-thickness graft, scalp, arms, and/or legs, first 20 sq cm; 15240 covers the face, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, orbits, genitalia, hands, feet, or multiple digits. Code 15200 covers trunk, first 20 sq cm. The anatomical location of the defect and the type of graft (split vs. full thickness) determine the code range.

Question 3

A surgeon performs wound debridement of a 10 sq cm infected subcutaneous wound on the foot. Which CPT® code range covers debridement of subcutaneous tissue?

  1. 11000-11006
  2. 97597-97598
  3. 11042-11047 (correct answer)
  4. 16020-16035
Explanation: CPT® codes 11042-11047 cover debridement of subcutaneous tissue (11042 for first 20 sq cm; 11045 is the add-on for each additional 20 sq cm). These codes are used for debridement down to the subcutaneous level. Codes 97597-97598 are used for active wound care management by non-physician providers; 11000-11006 cover extensive debridement of infected skin.

Question 4

A patient has an open wound that requires secondary closure (delayed primary closure) 4 days after the initial injury. Which CPT® code covers secondary wound closure?

  1. 12020
  2. 12021
  3. 13160 (correct answer)
  4. 13300
Explanation: CPT® 13160 covers secondary closure of a surgical wound or dehiscence, extensive or complex. Code 12020 covers treatment of superficial wound dehiscence (simple); 12021 covers treatment with packing. For secondary/delayed primary closure of a wound — where the wound has been open and is subsequently closed — 13160 is used when the closure is extensive. The timing (delayed closure) and complexity drive code selection.

Question 5

A patient has a 3.5 cm simple laceration on the forehead and a 2.0 cm intermediate laceration on the neck. How are these repairs coded?

  1. Both lengths are added together and reported as one code
  2. Both are reported as intermediate repair since the intermediate is the more complex service
  3. One code for the more complex repair; the simple is bundled
  4. Two separate codes — one for the simple repair and one for the intermediate repair, each by site and complexity (correct answer)
Explanation: When wound repairs are of different complexity levels (simple vs. intermediate vs. complex), they are NOT added together. Each repair classification is coded separately, and each code is selected based on the anatomical location and length within that classification. The simple repair is coded separately from the intermediate repair. Modifier -51 may be appended to the lower-valued code.

Question 6

Which of the following characteristics distinguishes an intermediate wound repair from a simple wound repair?

  1. Intermediate repair requires layered closure of the subcutaneous tissue or requires contaminated/infected wound preparation (correct answer)
  2. Intermediate repair involves use of sutures; simple repair uses only adhesive strips
  3. Intermediate repair is defined solely by wound length exceeding 5.0 cm
  4. Intermediate repair requires general anesthesia; simple repair uses only local
Explanation: An intermediate wound repair requires layered closure — closing the subcutaneous tissue and/or subcuticular tissue in addition to the skin, OR requires extensive cleaning or removal of particulate matter in a contaminated wound. A simple repair involves a single layer closure of the epidermis and dermis, and may be with sutures, staples, or tissue adhesive. The need for layered closure is the key differentiator.

Question 7

A patient sustains burns to the entire right arm (anterior and posterior surfaces). Using the Rule of Nines for adult burn assessment, what percentage of total body surface area (TBSA) does the entire right arm represent?

  1. 4.5%
  2. 9% (correct answer)
  3. 18%
  4. 13.5%
Explanation: The Rule of Nines divides the adult body into regions each representing approximately 9% of total body surface area: each arm = 9%; each leg = 18%; anterior trunk = 18%; posterior trunk = 18%; head = 9%; genitalia = 1%. The entire right arm (anterior and posterior) equals 9% TBSA. This calculation is essential for selecting the correct burn wound care code based on TBSA involvement.

Question 8

A patient has a 4 cm laceration on the arm that requires layered closure of the subcutaneous tissue and epidermis due to the depth of the wound. Which CPT® code range covers intermediate wound repair of the trunk and extremities?

  1. 12001–12007
  2. 12031–12037 (correct answer)
  3. 12041–12047
  4. 13100–13102
Explanation: CPT® codes 12031–12037 cover intermediate repair of the scalp, axillae, trunk, and/or extremities — including the arm. For a 4 cm laceration on the arm requiring layered closure, 12032 (2.6–7.5 cm) within the 12031–12037 range is the correct code. Codes 12041–12047 cover intermediate repair of the neck, hands, feet, and/or external genitalia — not the arm or other extremities. Codes 12001–12007 cover simple repair of scalp, neck, axillae, trunk, and extremities.

Question 9

A surgeon needs to prepare a wound bed on a patient's calf for skin grafting by excising open wound tissue. In addition to the graft application code, which CPT® code covers surgical preparation of the recipient site for trunk, arms, or legs?

  1. 15000
  2. 15002 (correct answer)
  3. 15004
  4. 15100
Explanation: CPT® 15002 covers surgical preparation or creation of recipient site by excision of open wounds, burn eschar, or scar, first 100 sq cm of trunk, arms, or legs. This is reported in addition to the graft application code when the recipient site requires surgical preparation. Code 15004 covers the same service for the face, scalp, eyelids, mouth, neck, ears, or genitalia. Code 15100 is the split-thickness autograft application code for trunk/extremities. Donor site harvest for standard autologous grafts is included in the graft application code and not separately reported.

Question 10

A surgeon performs an adjacent tissue transfer (Z-plasty) to close a 3 cm defect on the cheek. Which CPT® code range covers adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement procedures?

  1. 14000-14350 (correct answer)
  2. 15100-15157
  3. 13100-13160
  4. 12051-12057
Explanation: CPT® codes 14000-14350 cover adjacent tissue transfer or rearrangement procedures, including Z-plasty, W-plasty, V-Y plasty, and rotation flap procedures. Code selection is based on the location and size of the defect. Adjacent tissue transfer codes are reported instead of — not in addition to — standard wound repair codes when a flap or rearrangement technique is used. The primary repair code is included in the adjacent tissue transfer code.

Question 11

A patient undergoes a pedicle flap procedure to reconstruct a defect on the nose. The surgeon raises a forehead flap, rotates it to cover the nasal defect, and will divide the flap in a second stage. Which CPT® code range covers pedicle flap procedures?

  1. 14000–14350
  2. 15570–15738 (correct answer)
  3. 15570–15576
  4. 15730–15738
Explanation: CPT® codes 15570–15738 cover pedicle and myocutaneous flap procedures. Code 15570 covers formation of a direct or tubed pedicle; 15574 covers a rotation flap; 15630 covers a cross-finger flap. Forehead flap for nasal reconstruction is reported from the 15570–15576 range or the specific regional flap codes. Adjacent tissue transfer (14000 series) involves local rearrangement; pedicle flaps involve raising tissue from a distance with a blood supply bridge.

Question 12

A burn patient has a full-thickness burn of the entire right leg. Using the Rule of Nines for adults, what percentage of TBSA is affected?

  1. 9%
  2. 13.5%
  3. 27%
  4. 18% (correct answer)
Explanation: The Rule of Nines assigns each entire lower extremity 18% of TBSA (9% anterior + 9% posterior). A full-thickness burn of the entire right leg represents 18% TBSA. This calculation is critical for selecting appropriate burn wound care codes and determining the severity classification of the burn.

Question 13

A patient presents with two lacerations: a 3.0 cm simple repair on the scalp and a 2.0 cm simple repair on the neck. Both wounds require only single-layer closure. How is the total wound length reported?

  1. One code for the combined 5.0 cm total, since both are simple repairs in the same body region category (correct answer)
  2. Two separate codes — one for each anatomical site
  3. Two codes with modifier -51 on the second repair
  4. One code for the scalp and one code for the neck, since they are different anatomical locations
Explanation: CPT® wound repair guidelines state that lengths of wounds in the same classification (simple, intermediate, or complex) that are in the same anatomical grouping are added together and reported as one code. Scalp and neck are both in the "scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk, and/or extremities" anatomical grouping for simple repair. The combined 5.0 cm is reported with a single code from the 12001–12007 range.

Question 14

A surgeon performs a complex wound repair on the nose involving scar revision and closure requiring more than layered sutures. The wound is 2.5 cm. Which CPT® code range covers complex repair of the eyelids, nose, ears, and/or lips?

  1. 12031–12037
  2. 12041–12047
  3. 13150–13153 (correct answer)
  4. 13100–13102
Explanation: CPT® codes 13150–13153 cover complex repair of the eyelids, nose, ears, and/or lips. Codes 13131–13133 cover complex repair of the forehead, cheeks, chin, neck, and other specific sites; 13100–13102 covers complex repair of the trunk. When the complex repair involves the nose, eyelids, ears, or lips specifically, the 13150 series is used. Complex repair requires more than layered closure — such as scar revision, debridement, extensive undermining, retention sutures, or other complex wound preparations.

Question 15

A physician performs initial burn wound treatment including debridement of a partial-thickness burn covering 5% TBSA of the torso. Which CPT® code covers initial burn wound treatment with debridement, small (less than 5% TBSA)?

  1. 16000
  2. 16020 (correct answer)
  3. 16025
  4. 16030
Explanation: CPT® 16020 covers dressings and/or debridement of partial-thickness burns, initial or subsequent; small (less than 5% total body surface area). Code 16000 covers initial treatment of a first-degree burn; 16025 covers medium burns (e.g., whole face or whole extremity, or 5% TBSA); 16030 covers large burns (greater than 1 extremity or greater than 5% TBSA). The 5% TBSA threshold distinguishes small from medium burn wound care codes.

Question 16

A surgeon applies a split-thickness skin graft to a 50 sq cm wound on the left thigh. Which component codes are required to fully report autologous skin grafting?

  1. Only the recipient site graft code (correct answer)
  2. The recipient site graft code and the donor site harvest code
  3. Only the donor site harvest code
  4. A single skin graft code covers both the harvest and application
Explanation: For autologous skin grafting, the recipient site graft code (e.g., 15100 for split-thickness autograft, trunk/arms/legs, first 100 sq cm) includes the harvest of the donor skin as part of the procedure. The donor site harvest is integral to the autograft and is not separately reported. A separate donor harvest code is not required alongside the application code for standard autologous grafts. If the recipient site requires surgical preparation by excision of wound tissue, code 15002 or 15004 may be additionally reported.

Question 17

A surgeon excises a 1.5 cm benign lesion from the back and repairs the wound with a simple layered closure. How are the excision and the closure reported?

  1. The excision is reported with the appropriate excision code; the closure is bundled and not separately reported (correct answer)
  2. One combination code captures both the excision and closure
  3. Both the excision and the simple repair are reported separately
  4. The excision is reported with modifier -22 to reflect the additional closure work
Explanation: Simple wound closure (single layer) following lesion excision is included in the excision code and is not separately reportable. However, if the repair requires intermediate or complex closure (layered), the repair code may be separately reported in addition to the excision. The CPT® excision code descriptors specify "with simple closure" as included; more complex closures are separately reportable.

Question 18

A surgeon repairs a 6.5 cm intermediate laceration on the scalp. The wound required layered closure of the galea aponeurosis and epidermis. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 12031
  2. 12032 (correct answer)
  3. 12034
  4. 12035
Explanation: CPT® 12032 covers intermediate repair of scalp, axillae, trunk, and/or extremities, 2.6-7.5 cm. A 6.5 cm intermediate repair on the scalp falls within this range. Code 12031 covers up to 2.5 cm; 12034 covers 7.6-12.5 cm; 12035 covers 12.6-20.0 cm. The scalp and the layered galea closure confirm the intermediate repair classification.

Question 19

A patient has a 3.0 cm simple laceration on the face and a 2.5 cm simple laceration on the chin. Both require simple single-layer closure. Are these lengths added together for code selection?

  1. Yes — all simple repairs are combined regardless of location (correct answer)
  2. No — face and chin are in a different anatomical grouping than trunk/extremities; they must be coded separately
  3. Yes — all lacerations on the head and neck are combined
  4. No — simple repairs are never combined; each laceration is coded separately
Explanation: For CPT® wound repair, simple repairs in the same anatomical grouping are combined. The face (including the chin) falls in the "face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, and/or mucous membranes" grouping for simple repair (12011–12018). Both the 3.0 cm face laceration and the 2.5 cm chin laceration are in this same grouping, so the lengths are added (5.5 cm total) and a single code is selected from the 12011–12018 range based on total length.

Question 20

A surgeon applies a negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device to a 50 sq cm non-healing wound on the leg. Which CPT® code covers application of a mechanically powered NPWT device?

  1. 97602
  2. 97605
  3. 97607 (correct answer)
  4. 97610
Explanation: CPT® 97607 covers negative pressure wound therapy using a mechanically powered device for wounds with a total surface area of 50 square centimeters or less. Add-on code 97608 covers each additional 20 sq cm when the wound exceeds 50 sq cm. For a 50 sq cm wound, 97607 alone is reported. Code 97605 covers NPWT using an electrically powered device for wounds 50 sq cm or less; 97606 covers each additional 50 sq cm for electrically powered devices. The power source (electrical vs. mechanical) determines code family selection.