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A patient is admitted with a left nondisplaced comminuted patella fracture, a displaced left spiral fracture of the shaft of the fibula, and a displaced comminuted fracture of the shaft of the left tibia, initial encounter.

a) S82.211A, S82.414A, S82.401A
b) S82.211C, S82.413B, S82.404A
c) S82.212A, S82.412A, S82.402A
d) S82.212B, S82.413C, S82.402B

1 Answer

7 votes

Final answer:

The accurate coding for the multiple fractures of the left leg should denote the type of fracture and the side of the body affected. None of the answer options provided is entirely correct due to incorrect codes. Advanced understanding of fracture classification and specific anatomical knowledge is crucial for correct medical coding.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the medical scenario provided, we are dealing with various types of fractures to the patient's left leg: a nondisplaced comminuted patella fracture, a displaced left spiral fracture of the fibula, and a displaced comminuted fracture of the shaft of the left tibia. Considering the correct diagnosis codes in ICD-10-CM are specific not only to the bone and type of fracture but also to the side of the body where the fracture is located, the accurate coding selection should reflect the condition of the patient precisely. Furthermore, the 'A' suffix in these codes denotes the initial encounter for the patient.The correct coding for this case would be S82.011A for the nondisplaced comminuted patella fracture, S82.432A for the displaced spiral fracture of the shaft of the fibula, and S82.201A for the displaced comminuted fracture of the shaft of the tibia, considering all injuries are on the left side of the body. Therefore, none of the provided answer options (a, b, c, d) is correct in full as they contain incorrect codes. Professional coders need to use the most up-to-date coding books or electronic resources to ensure accuracy.Understanding how to appropriately classify and code for fractures is crucial in the field of medicine and healthcare management, including knowledge of various types of fractures such as transverse, spiral, and comminuted. Furthermore, knowledge about the structures of the leg contributing to joints such as the knee joint, which includes the medial and lateral condyles of the tibia, is significant in understanding the implications of these fractures.

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