In the abscess case, which chest radiography code was used?

In the abscess case, which chest radiography code was used?

• A. 71020
• B. 71010
• C. 71050
• D. 71140

Answer: (B)

The main concept tested is that chest X-ray coding depends on how many views are documented in the study. A single-view chest radiograph uses the single-view code, while two views use the two-view code, and additional views or different techniques use other codes. In this abscess case, only one chest image was documented, so the single-view chest radiograph code is used. If two views had been documented (for example, a frontal and a lateral view), the two-view code would be appropriate, and more views or different techniques would prompt different codes.

The main concept tested is that chest X-ray coding depends on how many views are documented in the study. A single-view chest radiograph uses the single-view code, while two views use the two-view code, and additional views or different techniques use other codes.

In this abscess case, only one chest image was documented, so the single-view chest radiograph code is used. If two views had been documented (for example, a frontal and a lateral view), the two-view code would be appropriate, and more views or different techniques would prompt different codes.