Question

What does the "A" stand for as the 7th character in ICD?

A) Anatomy
B) Acute
C) Advanced
D) Assessment

Answer 1

In the ICD-10-CM coding system, the "A" as the 7th character stands for initial encounter, indicating the patient is receiving active treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The "A" as the 7th character in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding system stands for initial encounter. This character is used in the ICD-10-CM (Clinical Modification) for diseases and injuries to indicate the phase of care for the particular condition the patient is being treated for. It does not stand for Anatomy, Acute, Advanced, or Assessment, as might be suggested by the multiple-choice options.

In the ICD-10-CM, 7th characters are often used to describe the timing and type of care a patient is receiving for their condition. For example, "A" for initial encounter, "D" for subsequent encounter, and "S" for sequela. The use of "A" indicates that the patient is receiving active treatment for the condition.