Question

A patient is admitted with abdominal pain. The doctor states that the discharge diagnosis is pancreatitis versus noncalculus cholecystitis. Both diagnoses are equally treated. What is the correct coding and sequencing for this case?

Answer 1

To correctly code and sequence the diagnoses for a patient admitted with abdominal pain, both pancreatitis and noncalculus cholecystitis should be coded. The primary diagnosis, pancreatitis, should be listed first.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct coding and sequencing for this case would depend on the specific codes used in the healthcare system being referenced. However, based on the provided information, I can give you a general guideline. When confronted with two possible diagnoses, such as pancreatitis versus noncalculus cholecystitis, it is appropriate to code both conditions. The primary diagnosis, or the condition that is the main reason for the admission, should be listed first. Therefore, the primary diagnosis could be assigned a code for pancreatitis, and the secondary diagnosis could be assigned a code for noncalculus cholecystitis.