Question

Are words in the square brackets required to be part of the diagnostic statement to use the code?

1) True
2) False

Answer 1

The requirement of words in the square brackets to be part of the diagnostic statement to use the code is false. These brackets provide additional context or explanation and are not mandatory for code use.

Step-by-step explanation:

Words in the square brackets are not necessarily required to be part of the diagnostic statement to use the code. The statement is false.

In medical coding, such as using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), descriptors or terms inside square brackets are supplementary words or explanatory information that provide additional context to the code but are not mandatory for its use. These brackets can also indicate synonyms, alternate wording, or explanatory phrases.