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

A gastroenterologist performs a flexible sigmoidoscopy with removal of a polyp by snare technique. Which CPT® code is reported?

45330
45331
45338
45335
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Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Quiz

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Quiz: Assign Endoscopy Codes

Practice Assign Endoscopy 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 Endoscopy 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 gastroenterologist performs a flexible sigmoidoscopy with removal of a polyp by snare technique. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 45330
  2. 45331
  3. 45338 (correct answer)
  4. 45335
Explanation: CPT® 45338 covers flexible sigmoidoscopy with removal of tumor(s), polyp(s), or other lesion(s) by snare technique. Code 45330 is diagnostic sigmoidoscopy; 45331 covers sigmoidoscopy with biopsy; 45333 covers removal by hot biopsy forceps or bipolar cautery. The technique used — snare vs. hot biopsy/cautery — determines whether 45338 or 45333 is reported.

Question 2

A gynecologist performs a diagnostic hysteroscopy to evaluate abnormal uterine bleeding. No therapeutic procedures are performed. Which CPT® code covers diagnostic hysteroscopy?

  1. 58560
  2. 58558
  3. 58555 (correct answer)
  4. 58559
Explanation: CPT® 58555 covers hysteroscopy, diagnostic (separate procedure) — used when hysteroscopy is performed for evaluation only, without any therapeutic intervention. Code 58558 covers hysteroscopy with sampling (biopsy) of endometrium; 58560 covers hysteroscopy with division of intrauterine septum; 58559 covers hysteroscopy with lysis of intrauterine adhesions. When no biopsy or therapeutic procedure is performed, only the diagnostic code 58555 is reported.

Question 3

A pulmonologist performs a flexible bronchoscopy and obtains bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to evaluate for pneumonia in an immunocompromised patient. Which CPT® code covers bronchoscopy with BAL?

  1. 31622
  2. 31623
  3. 31624 (correct answer)
  4. 31625
Explanation: CPT® 31624 covers bronchoscopy, flexible, with bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL). Code 31622 covers diagnostic bronchoscopy; 31623 covers bronchoscopy with brushing; 31625 covers bronchoscopy with bronchial biopsy. BAL — the instillation and aspiration of saline to collect cells from the alveoli — is a distinct technique from bronchial brushing or biopsy, coded separately with 31624.

Question 4

A pulmonologist performs a rigid bronchoscopy with therapeutic aspiration of a mucus plug causing acute lobar atelectasis. Which CPT® code covers rigid bronchoscopy with therapeutic aspiration?

  1. 31645 (correct answer)
  2. 31622
  3. 31630
  4. 31635
Explanation: CPT® 31645 covers bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, with therapeutic aspiration of the tracheobronchial tree, initial aspiration. When a bronchoscopy is performed to aspirate secretions or a mucus plug obstructing the airway, 31645 is the appropriate code — not foreign body removal. A mucus plug is not classified as a foreign body. Code 31635 covers bronchoscopy with removal of a solid foreign body; 31622 covers diagnostic bronchoscopy; 31630 covers bronchial or tracheal dilation.

Question 5

During an EGD, the gastroenterologist takes a biopsy of the gastric mucosa to rule out H. pylori infection. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 43235
  2. 43236
  3. 43238
  4. 43239 (correct answer)
Explanation: CPT® 43239 covers upper GI endoscopy with biopsy, single or multiple. Code 43235 is diagnostic EGD without biopsy; 43236 covers submucosal injection; 43238 covers EGD with ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration. When a biopsy is taken during an EGD — regardless of the number of biopsy sites — 43239 is reported. The diagnostic EGD (43235) is not additionally reported as it is bundled into 43239.

Question 6

A surgeon performs a diagnostic arthroscopy of the right knee with only visualization and no therapeutic procedures. Which CPT® code covers a diagnostic knee arthroscopy?

  1. 29871
  2. 29870 (correct answer)
  3. 29875
  4. 29873
Explanation: CPT® 29870 covers arthroscopy of the knee, diagnostic, with or without synovial biopsy. Code 29871 covers arthroscopy with irrigation and drainage; 29873 covers arthroscopy with lateral release; 29875 covers arthroscopy with synovectomy. A purely diagnostic knee arthroscopy (visualization only) is reported with 29870. Note that diagnostic arthroscopy is often converted to surgical arthroscopy — if any surgical procedure is performed, the surgical code supersedes the diagnostic code.

Question 7

A gastroenterologist performs an EGD with balloon dilation of an esophageal stricture (balloon diameter less than 30 mm). Which CPT® code covers EGD with esophageal balloon dilation?

  1. 43245
  2. 43220
  3. 43248
  4. 43249 (correct answer)
Explanation: CPT® 43249 covers upper GI endoscopy with balloon dilation of the esophagus less than 30 mm in diameter. Code 43220 covers esophageal dilation with balloon 30 mm diameter or greater; 43245 covers dilation of the gastric outlet (pylorus); 43248 covers esophageal dilation using guided wire technique. The balloon diameter threshold determines whether 43249 (less than 30 mm) or 43220 (30 mm or greater) applies.

Question 8

A urologist performs a cystoscopy with biopsy of a suspicious bladder lesion. Which CPT® code covers cystoscopy with biopsy?

  1. 52000
  2. 52204 (correct answer)
  3. 52214
  4. 52224
Explanation: CPT® 52204 covers cystourethroscopy with biopsy(ies). Code 52000 covers diagnostic cystourethroscopy only without any therapeutic service; 52214 covers cystourethroscopy with fulguration and/or treatment of minor lesions; 52224 covers fulguration of lesions less than 0.5 cm. When a biopsy of a bladder lesion is performed during cystoscopy, 52204 is the appropriate code.

Question 9

A surgeon performs a surgical arthroscopy of the right shoulder with rotator cuff repair. Which CPT® code covers arthroscopic rotator cuff repair?

  1. 29806
  2. 29819
  3. 29821
  4. 29827 (correct answer)
Explanation: CPT® 29827 covers arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical, with rotator cuff repair. Code 29806 covers arthroscopy with capsulorraphy; 29819 covers arthroscopy with removal of loose body or foreign body; 29821 covers arthroscopy with synovectomy, complete. Rotator cuff repair is specifically designated 29827 within the shoulder arthroscopy surgical codes. This is one of the most commonly tested shoulder arthroscopy codes on the CPC exam.

Question 10

A flexible esophagoscopy is performed to evaluate dysphagia. The scope evaluates only the esophagus and does not pass into the stomach. Which CPT® code covers diagnostic flexible esophagoscopy?

  1. 43200
  2. 43191
  3. 43235
  4. 43197 (correct answer)
Explanation: CPT® 43197 covers flexible esophagoscopy, diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing. Esophagoscopy codes (43191-43232) cover the esophagus only and are used when the examination does not extend into the stomach or beyond the gastroesophageal junction. Code 43235 covers EGD — esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine; 43191 covers rigid esophagoscopy; 43200 covers flexible esophagoscopy with injection.

Question 11

A surgeon performs a diagnostic laparoscopy of the abdominal cavity to evaluate a patient with chronic pelvic pain. No therapeutic procedure is performed. Which CPT® code covers diagnostic laparoscopy?

  1. 49310
  2. 49320 (correct answer)
  3. 49321
  4. 49322
Explanation: CPT® 49320 covers diagnostic laparoscopy, abdominopelvic, with or without collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing. For a diagnostic laparoscopy without biopsy or aspiration, 49320 is the correct code. Code 49321 covers laparoscopy with biopsy; 49322 covers laparoscopy with aspiration of a cyst or abscess. When no therapeutic procedure is performed, 49320 is the appropriate diagnostic code.

Question 12

A gastroenterologist performs a colonoscopy and places a self-expanding metallic stent to relieve a malignant colonic obstruction. Which CPT® code covers colonoscopy with endoscopic stent placement?

  1. 45389 (correct answer)
  2. 45386
  3. 45388
  4. 45399
Explanation: CPT® 45389 covers colonoscopy with endoscopic stent placement. Code 45386 covers balloon dilation of the colon; 45388 covers ablation; 45399 is an unlisted colonoscopy procedure. Stent placement for relief of colonic obstruction — benign or malignant — is reported with 45389. This is a distinct therapeutic intervention from dilation (45386) or ablation (45388).

Question 13

A gastroenterologist performs a colonoscopy with submucosal injection of a lifting agent beneath a flat lesion prior to endoscopic mucosal resection. Which CPT® code covers colonoscopy with submucosal injection?

  1. 45381 (correct answer)
  2. 45382
  3. 45384
  4. 45386
Explanation: CPT® 45381 covers colonoscopy with directed submucosal injection(s), any substance. This code is used when submucosal injection is performed for tattoo marking, polyp lifting, or other therapeutic purposes. Code 45382 covers control of bleeding; 45384 covers removal by hot biopsy forceps; 45386 covers balloon dilation. Submucosal injection as a standalone procedure is coded with 45381.

Question 14

A urologist performs a cystoscopy with laser fulguration of multiple bladder lesions. The documented lesion size is 1.5 cm. Which CPT® code covers cystoscopy with fulguration of bladder tumor(s) between 0.5 cm and 2.0 cm?

  1. 52204
  2. 52234 (correct answer)
  3. 52224
  4. 52214
Explanation: CPT® 52234 covers cystourethroscopy with fulguration (including laser surgery) of small bladder tumor(s) 0.5 cm to 2.0 cm. Code 52204 covers biopsy; 52214 covers fulguration of minor lesions without size specification; 52224 covers lesions less than 0.5 cm. For a documented lesion of 1.5 cm, 52234 is the appropriate code. Lesion size drives the code selection within the cystoscopy fulguration range.

Question 15

A gastroenterologist performs a diagnostic colonoscopy on a 55-year-old patient. No polyps or abnormalities are found, and no therapeutic procedures are performed. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 45378 (correct answer)
  2. 45380
  3. 45385
  4. 45386
Explanation: CPT® 45378 covers diagnostic colonoscopy — colonoscopy through the entire colon from the rectum to the cecum with image documentation, including when no therapeutic procedure is performed. Code 45380 covers colonoscopy with biopsy; 45385 covers colonoscopy with snare polypectomy; 45386 covers colonoscopy with dilation. The diagnostic code (45378) is reported when the scope reaches the cecum and no intervention is performed.

Question 16

A gastroenterologist begins a colonoscopy in an outpatient facility. Conscious sedation is administered. After advancing the scope to the hepatic flexure, the procedure is discontinued because the patient cannot tolerate further advancement. Which code is reported?

  1. 45378
  2. 45378-52
  3. 45378-53
  4. 45378-74 (correct answer)
Explanation: Modifier -74 (discontinued outpatient hospital/ASC procedure after anesthesia) is appended to 45378 when a planned procedure is discontinued in an outpatient facility or ASC after conscious sedation or anesthesia has been administered but before the procedure is completed. Code 45378-74 captures this scenario. Modifier -52 applies to reduced services in a non-facility context; modifier -53 applies when a procedure is discontinued due to extenuating circumstances threatening patient wellbeing, typically without pre-administered anesthesia.

Question 17

An endoscopist performs an EGD with ligation (banding) of esophageal varices. Which CPT® code covers EGD with variceal band ligation?

  1. 43243
  2. 43244 (correct answer)
  3. 43245
  4. 43246
Explanation: CPT® 43244 covers upper GI endoscopy with band ligation of esophageal and/or gastric varices. Code 43243 covers EGD with injection of esophageal/gastric varices; 43245 covers dilation of the gastric outlet; 43246 covers placement of a percutaneous gastrostomy tube. Band ligation is a specific technique for variceal treatment distinct from injection sclerotherapy (43243), each having its own code.

Question 18

A gastroenterologist performs a diagnostic upper GI endoscopy (EGD) to evaluate dyspepsia. The scope passes through the esophagus, stomach, and proximal duodenum. No interventions are performed. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 43239
  2. 43250
  3. 43235 (correct answer)
  4. 43237
Explanation: CPT® 43235 covers upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (EGD), diagnostic — esophagus, stomach, and/or upper small intestine with or without collection of specimen by brushing or washing. Code 43239 covers EGD with biopsy; 43250 covers EGD with tumor removal by hot biopsy forceps; 43237 covers EGD with ultrasound examination. When no therapeutic procedure is performed, the diagnostic EGD code (43235) is reported.

Question 19

A pulmonologist performs a flexible bronchoscopy with transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) of the right lower lobe. Which CPT® code covers bronchoscopy with transbronchial lung biopsy?

  1. 31622
  2. 31625
  3. 31628 (correct answer)
  4. 31629
Explanation: CPT® 31628 covers bronchoscopy, flexible, with transbronchial lung biopsy(ies), single lobe. Code 31622 covers diagnostic bronchoscopy only; 31625 covers bronchoscopy with bronchial or endobronchial biopsy (not lung parenchyma); 31629 covers transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy. TBLB is a parenchymal lung biopsy obtained through the bronchoscope and is specifically coded with 31628.

Question 20

A gastroenterologist performs a colonoscopy with removal of a pedunculated polyp using a hot snare polypectomy technique. Which CPT® code is reported?

  1. 45378
  2. 45385 (correct answer)
  3. 45380
  4. 45384
Explanation: CPT® 45385 covers colonoscopy with removal of tumor(s), polyp(s), or other lesion(s) by snare technique. Code 45378 is diagnostic only; 45380 covers biopsy; 45384 covers removal by hot biopsy forceps. Hot snare polypectomy is specifically captured by 45385. The technique used for polyp removal determines the code selection within the therapeutic colonoscopy range.