Question

Darlene had a CVA (cerebrovascular accident) two months ago, and she is still not able to speak. Dr. Smith diagnosed her with aphasia following a nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage. Report this with:

1) I69.021 Dysphasia following nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage
2) I69.291 Dysphagia following other nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage
3) I69.220 Aphasia following other nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage
4) I69.128 Aphasia following nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage

Answer 1

The correct diagnosis code for Darlene, who has aphasia after a nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage, is I69.128 Aphasia following nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage.

Step-by-step explanation:

If Darlene was diagnosed with aphasia following a nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage, the correct code to report this condition is I69.128 Aphasia following nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage. It is essential to choose the diagnosis code that precisely matches the condition's description. Since Dr. Smith diagnosed Darlene with aphasia, not dysphasia or dysphagia, and indicated that the cause was a nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage, the code reflecting aphasia as a consequence of that specific type of hemorrhage must be used.

The mention of a 'subarachnoid hemorrhage' does not apply, as this is a different type of bleed and has its distinct codes. Therefore, code I69.128 is the appropriate one to capture Darlene's medical situation.