Final answer:
It is true that codes based on signs or symptoms may be used when a definitive diagnosis has not been made. Signs and symptoms can indicate a range of diseases, and a syndrome is a set of these features that suggest a particular disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that medical professionals can use codes that use signs or symptoms when a definitive diagnosis has not been established by the provider. This practice acknowledges that many diseases can produce similar signs and symptoms, making it occasionally tough to pinpoint a precise diagnosis without further testing.
Medical professionals often rely on signs and symptoms to diagnose disease and prescribe treatment. However, they also recognize the necessity to confirm the identity of the infectious agent through other direct and indirect diagnostic methods. A syndrome, which is a specific group of signs and symptoms characteristic of a particular disease, might have its name based on these clinical features or the location of the disease.