Final answer:
Both the insertion of an endotracheal tube and mechanical ventilation should be coded separately in medical coding.
Step-by-step explanation:
When coding insertion of an endotracheal tube and mechanical ventilation, both should be coded. This is because these are two separate and distinct procedures that are performed during the process of intubation and mechanical ventilation.
Intubation involves the insertion of an endotracheal tube into the patient's airway, which is used to secure the airway and facilitate mechanical ventilation. Mechanical ventilation, on the other hand, is the process of delivering breaths to the patient through the endotracheal tube.
Therefore, in medical coding, both the insertion of the endotracheal tube and mechanical ventilation should be coded separately to accurately reflect the services provided.