Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Quiz: Assign Diagnostic Radiology Codes
20 questions · exam conditions
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Assign Diagnostic Radiology CodesQuestion 1 of 20

A radiologist performs a complete obstetric ultrasound at 18 weeks gestation to evaluate fetal anatomy and biometry. Which CPT® code covers a standard fetal anatomic survey ultrasound?

76801
76805
76810
76811
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Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Quiz

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Quiz: Assign Diagnostic Radiology Codes

Practice Assign Diagnostic Radiology Codes 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 Assign Diagnostic Radiology Codes, 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 radiologist performs a complete obstetric ultrasound at 18 weeks gestation to evaluate fetal anatomy and biometry. Which CPT® code covers a standard fetal anatomic survey ultrasound?

  1. 76801
  2. 76805 (correct answer)
  3. 76810
  4. 76811
Explanation: CPT® 76805 covers a complete obstetric ultrasound after the first trimester, including evaluation of fetal biometry, anatomy, placental location, and amniotic fluid — the standard second-trimester anatomy survey. Code 76811 covers a detailed fetal anatomic examination that goes beyond the standard survey and requires a substantially more comprehensive evaluation; it is not the default code for a routine anatomy ultrasound at 18 weeks. Code 76801 covers first-trimester ultrasound; 76810 covers a complete multiple-gestation ultrasound.

Question 2

A radiologist performs a bone density study (DEXA scan) of the axial skeleton — both the spine and hip — in a single session. Which CPT® code covers a DEXA scan of the axial skeleton?

  1. 77081
  2. 77082
  3. 77083
  4. 77080 (correct answer)
Explanation: CPT® 77080 covers dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) of the axial skeleton (e.g., hips, pelvis, spine). Code 77081 covers DEXA of the appendicular skeleton (wrist, heel, finger); 77082 covers DEXA for vertebral fracture assessment; 77083 was a deleted code. When the spine and hip are measured — axial sites — 77080 is the correct code. Axial versus appendicular site determination drives DEXA code selection.

Question 3

A physician orders bilateral hip X-rays to evaluate for avascular necrosis. Each hip is imaged in 2 views (AP and frog-leg). Which CPT® code covers a bilateral hip X-ray?

  1. 73502
  2. 73503
  3. 73521
  4. 73522 (correct answer)
Explanation: CPT® 73522 covers bilateral hip radiologic examination, 3-4 views. When each hip is imaged in 2 views (AP and frog-leg), the total view count for the bilateral study is 4 views, placing it in the 3-4 view bilateral category. Code 73521 covers bilateral hips, 2 views total; 73523 covers bilateral hips, minimum 5 views; 73502 covers a unilateral hip, 2-3 views — not applicable when both hips are imaged bilaterally.

Question 4

A radiologist interprets an MRI of the right knee without contrast. Which CPT® code covers an MRI of the knee without contrast?

  1. 73221
  2. 73221-RT
  3. 73721 (correct answer)
  4. 73723
Explanation: CPT® 73721 covers MRI of any joint of the lower extremity without contrast material and is the base code for knee MRI. The base CPT code for the study is 73721 alone; modifier -RT (right side) may be appended for laterality when required by the payer or claim context, but the base CPT code itself does not include the modifier. Code 73221 covers MRI of any joint of the upper extremity — not applicable for the knee. Code 73723 covers lower extremity joint MRI with and without contrast.

Question 5

A pregnant patient at 10 weeks gestation undergoes an ultrasound to evaluate the fetal heartbeat and crown-rump length. Which CPT® code covers an obstetric ultrasound in the first trimester?

  1. 76805
  2. 76801 (correct answer)
  3. 76810
  4. 76811
Explanation: CPT® 76801 covers ultrasound of the pregnant uterus, real time with image documentation, fetal and maternal evaluation, first trimester (less than 14 weeks 0 days). Code 76805 covers complete obstetric ultrasound after the first trimester; 76810 covers each additional fetus in the same session; 76811 covers a detailed anatomic examination. At 10 weeks gestation, 76801 is the appropriate first-trimester ultrasound code.

Question 6

A radiologist interprets a transvaginal ultrasound of the pelvis to evaluate endometrial thickness and uterine morphology. Which CPT® code covers a transvaginal ultrasound?

  1. 76856
  2. 76830 (correct answer)
  3. 76857
  4. 76831
Explanation: CPT® 76830 covers ultrasound, transvaginal — the specific code for transvaginal pelvic ultrasound. Code 76856 covers a complete transabdominal pelvic ultrasound; 76857 covers a limited transabdominal pelvic ultrasound; 76831 covers saline infusion sonohysterography. The transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound approaches are separately coded — 76830 is specific to the transvaginal technique regardless of completeness.

Question 7

A radiologist performs and interprets an MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast in a private practice setting. Which CPT® code is reported for the global service?

  1. 72148 (correct answer)
  2. 72149
  3. 72158
  4. 72141
Explanation: CPT® 72148 covers MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast material. Code 72149 covers lumbar spine MRI with contrast; 72158 covers lumbar spine MRI with and without contrast; 72141 covers cervical spine MRI without contrast. When the order specifies an unenhanced lumbar spine MRI, 72148 is the correct global code for a private practice setting where both technical and professional components are performed by the same entity.

Question 8

A radiologist interprets an MRI of the brain with and without contrast. Which CPT® code covers the brain MRI with and without contrast material?

  1. 70551
  2. 70552
  3. 70553 (correct answer)
  4. 70554
Explanation: CPT® 70553 covers MRI of the brain with and without contrast material. Code 70551 is without contrast; 70552 is with contrast only; 70554 covers MRI of brain with functional imaging. When both pre-contrast and post-contrast sequences are obtained, 70553 (with and without) is the appropriate code — not two separate codes (which would constitute unbundling when a combination code exists).

Question 9

A radiologist performs and interprets a PET scan of the whole body combined with a CT scan for oncologic staging. Which CPT® code covers a combined PET/CT for oncology?

  1. 78816 (correct answer)
  2. 78814
  3. 78815
  4. 78813
Explanation: CPT® 78816 covers PET imaging with concurrently acquired CT transmission scan, whole body, for oncologic evaluation. Code 78814 covers PET/CT with concurrent CT, skull base to mid-thigh; 78815 covers skull base to mid-thigh PET without concurrent CT; 78813 covers PET whole body without a concurrent CT transmission scan. For a combined whole-body PET/CT for oncologic staging, 78816 is the correct code.

Question 10

A radiologist interprets a complete abdominal ultrasound documenting evaluation of the liver, gallbladder, common bile duct, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, aorta, and inferior vena cava. Which CPT® code covers a complete abdominal ultrasound?

  1. 76705
  2. 76770
  3. 76775
  4. 76700 (correct answer)
Explanation: CPT® 76700 covers ultrasound of the abdomen, real time with image documentation, complete — requiring evaluation of the liver, gallbladder, common bile duct, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, upper abdominal aorta, and IVC. Code 76705 covers a limited abdominal ultrasound (one organ or follow-up); 76770 covers a complete retroperitoneal ultrasound; 76775 covers a limited retroperitoneal study. All required elements must be documented to report 76700.

Question 11

A physician interprets an X-ray of the left wrist in two views in a private office. Which CPT® code covers a two-view wrist X-ray?

  1. 73100 (correct answer)
  2. 73110
  3. 73120
  4. 73130
Explanation: CPT® 73100 covers radiologic examination of the wrist, 2 views. Code 73110 covers wrist, minimum 3 views; 73120 covers hand, 2 views; 73130 covers hand, minimum 3 views. For a 2-view wrist X-ray, 73100 is the correct code. The wrist and hand have separate code series — coders must distinguish between wrist and hand procedures when selecting the appropriate radiologic examination code.

Question 12

A radiologist interprets a renal (kidney) ultrasound that includes evaluation of both kidneys and the bladder. The documentation confirms a complete study. Which CPT® code covers a complete renal ultrasound?

  1. 76775
  2. 76700
  3. 76705
  4. 76770 (correct answer)
Explanation: CPT® 76770 covers ultrasound of the retroperitoneum, real time with image documentation, complete — which includes evaluation of both kidneys, bladder, aorta, and IVC. Code 76775 covers a limited retroperitoneal ultrasound; 76700 covers complete abdominal ultrasound; 76705 covers limited abdominal ultrasound. A complete renal/retroperitoneal study requires documentation of all required elements and is reported with 76770.

Question 13

A radiologist interprets an MRI of the brain without contrast for evaluation of headaches in a private practice setting where the radiologist performs both the technical and professional components. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 70552
  2. 70553
  3. 70551 (correct answer)
  4. 70554
Explanation: CPT® 70551 covers MRI of the brain without contrast material. Code 70552 covers brain MRI with contrast; 70553 covers brain MRI with and without contrast; 70554 covers MRI with functional imaging. When a brain MRI is performed without contrast and the radiologist provides both technical and professional components in a private practice setting, 70551 is reported for the global service.

Question 14

A radiologist interprets a nuclear medicine bone scan of the whole body for evaluation of metastatic disease. Which CPT® code covers a whole-body bone scan?

  1. 78300
  2. 78305
  3. 78306 (correct answer)
  4. 78315
Explanation: CPT® 78306 covers bone imaging, whole body. Code 78300 covers bone imaging of a limited area; 78305 covers multiple areas (not whole body); 78315 covers a three-phase bone scan, which is a distinctly different study involving early vascular, blood pool, and delayed phases. For a whole-body bone scan to evaluate for metastatic disease, 78306 is the correct code.

Question 15

A patient undergoes a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis, both with contrast, performed as a combined study. Which CPT® code is reported for the combined abdominal and pelvic CT with contrast?

  1. 74177 (correct answer)
  2. 74178
  3. 74160
  4. 74170
Explanation: CPT® 74177 covers CT of the abdomen and pelvis, combined study, with contrast material — the appropriate code when both regions are imaged with contrast only (no unenhanced sequences). Code 74178 covers the combined abdomen and pelvis study performed with AND without contrast (both pre- and post-contrast sequences). Code 74150 covers CT abdomen without contrast; 74170 covers CT abdomen with and without contrast. The presence or absence of pre-contrast sequences determines whether 74177 or 74178 is reported.

Question 16

A radiologist interprets a diagnostic ultrasound of the pelvis (non-obstetric) performed transabdominally to evaluate for ovarian cysts. Which CPT® code covers a complete transabdominal pelvic ultrasound in a non-pregnant female?

  1. 76856
  2. 76857
  3. 76830 (correct answer)
  4. 76831
Explanation: CPT® 76856 covers ultrasound, pelvic (non-obstetric), real time with image documentation, complete. Code 76857 covers limited pelvic ultrasound; 76830 covers transvaginal ultrasound; 76831 covers saline infusion sonohysterography. A complete transabdominal pelvic ultrasound for a non-pregnant patient is reported with 76856. When the study is limited to one organ or one area, 76857 is used.

Question 17

A radiologist interprets a two-view chest X-ray (PA and lateral) for a patient presenting with cough and fever. Which CPT® code covers a two-view chest X-ray?

  1. 71045
  2. 71046 (correct answer)
  3. 71047
  4. 71048
Explanation: CPT® 71046 covers radiologic examination of the chest, 2 views. Code 71045 covers a single view; 71047 covers 3 views; 71048 covers 4 or more views. The number of views documented in the radiology report drives the code selection. A standard PA and lateral chest X-ray equals two views and is correctly reported with 71046.

Question 18

A radiologist performs a low-dose CT for lung cancer screening on a 58-year-old asymptomatic patient with a 35-pack-year smoking history who meets USPSTF screening criteria. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 71250
  2. 71260
  3. 71271 (correct answer)
  4. 71270
Explanation: CPT® 71271 covers computed tomography, thorax, low dose for lung cancer screening, without contrast material(s). This code is distinct from standard diagnostic chest CT codes (71250 for without contrast). The low-dose screening CT is specifically for asymptomatic high-risk patients meeting established screening criteria. Reporting 71250 instead of 71271 for a formal screening encounter is incorrect.

Question 19

A radiologist interprets a bilateral screening mammogram using digital technology (2D) for an asymptomatic 52-year-old woman. Which CPT® code covers a digital bilateral screening mammogram?

  1. 77066
  2. 77065
  3. 77063
  4. 77067 (correct answer)
Explanation: CPT® 77067 covers screening mammography, bilateral, including computer-aided detection (CAD) when performed. Code 77066 covers diagnostic bilateral mammography; 77065 covers diagnostic unilateral mammography; 77063 covers screening breast tomosynthesis (3D), bilateral. For a standard digital screening mammogram (asymptomatic patient), 77067 is the correct code regardless of whether CAD is used.

Question 20

A physician orders X-rays of the right knee in three views (AP, lateral, and sunrise). Which CPT® code covers a three-view knee X-ray?

  1. 73560
  2. 73562 (correct answer)
  3. 73564
  4. 73565
Explanation: CPT® 73562 covers radiologic examination of the knee, 3 views. Code 73560 covers 1-2 views; 73564 covers 4 or more views; 73565 covers bilateral knees, standing. For three views of a single knee (AP, lateral, and sunrise/merchant), 73562 is the correct code. The number of views documented determines which knee X-ray code applies.