Question

Which ICD-10 code should be assigned when no definitive diagnosis or manifestation of HIV is present and the patient has an inconclusive serology?

A) Z71.7
B) Z79.4
C) Z21
D) R75

Answer 1

The ICD-10 code R75 should be used for an inconclusive HIV serology, and a patient with a CD4 T cell count of 700/μL without symptoms is in HIV stage 1.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct ICD-10 code to assign when no definitive diagnosis or manifestation of HIV is present and the patient has an inconclusive serology would be R75. This code indicates that there is laboratory evidence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), but without any definitive symptoms or diagnosis. On the other hand, for the patient with a positive HIV test and a CD4 T cell count of 700/μL with no apparent illness, their infection would be in stage 1 according to the provided information.

Stage 2 (clinical latency) is characterized by a CD4 count between 200 and 499 cells/μL and may not manifest any symptoms, while Stage 3 (AIDS) involves a CD4 count below 200 cells/μL or the presence of certain opportunistic illnesses.