CPT Coding for Pathology and Lab Services: Master the Essentials

Question 1

A patient undergoes a liver biopsy. Which CPT code is appropriate for reporting the pathology interpretation?

Accepted Answer

88305: Pathology interpretation, liver biopsy

Answer

88307: Pathology interpretation, liver biopsy, with intraoperative consultation

Answer

88104: Pathology interpretation, skin biopsy

Answer

88321: Pathology interpretation, lymph node biopsy

Question 2

Which of the following laboratory tests is included in a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)?

Accepted Answer

Sodium: Electrolyte balance

Answer

Hemoglobin A1c: Diabetes monitoring

Answer

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA): Prostate cancer screening

Answer

Hepatitis B surface antigen: Hepatitis B infection

Question 3

Which term describes the process of assigning codes to medical services and procedures?

Accepted Answer

Coding: Converting descriptions to numerical codes

Answer

Billing: Submitting claims for payment

Answer

Charting: Documenting patient encounters

Answer

Transcription: Creating written records from speech

Question 4

A patient undergoes a biopsy of the prostate gland. Which type of pathology service is appropriate for reporting this procedure?

Accepted Answer

Histopathology: Examination of tissues

Answer

Cytopathology: Examination of cells

Answer

Molecular pathology: Examination of genetic material

Answer

Toxicology: Examination of poisons and drugs

Question 5

What is the primary purpose of a differential stain in a blood smear?

Accepted Answer

Identification of different white blood cell types

Answer

Determination of red blood cell count

Answer

Visualization of platelet morphology

Answer

Measurement of hemoglobin concentration

Question 6

Which of the following is a procedure involving gross examination?

Accepted Answer

Autopsy

Answer

Microscopic examination

Answer

Cytopathology

Answer

Flow cytometry

Question 7

Explain the distinction between a biopsy and a tissue resection.

Accepted Answer

Biopsy removes a small sample, while resection removes the entire tissue

Answer

Resection removes a small sample, while biopsy removes the entire tissue

Answer

Biopsy and resection are the same procedure

Answer

There is no difference between biopsy and resection

Question 8

What is the code for a Pap smear with high-risk HPV testing?

Accepted Answer

88143: Pap smear with high-risk HPV testing

Answer

88141: Pap smear without HPV testing

Answer

88142: Pap smear with low-risk HPV testing

Answer

88144: HPV testing only

Question 9

Which modifier should be appended to a pathology report that is amended after the initial report is issued?

Accepted Answer

-27: Report addendum

Answer

-25: Significant, separately identifiable E/M service by the same physician

Answer

-26: Professional services rendered by another physician

Answer

-28: Repeat clinical pathology services

Question 10

Which unit of measure is used for reporting the volume of a urine specimen?

Accepted Answer

mL: Milliliters

Answer

L: Liters

Answer

dL: Deciliters

Answer

oz: Ounces

Question 11

Which modifier is used to indicate that a laboratory test was performed on a specimen collected from a different healthcare facility?

Accepted Answer

-76: Specimen collected at a different healthcare facility

Answer

-77: Repeat clinical pathology services

Answer

-78: Report addendum

Answer

-79: Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician

Question 12

What is the CPT code for a culture and sensitivity test of a wound specimen?

Accepted Answer

87070: Culture and sensitivity test, wound specimen

Answer

87071: Culture and sensitivity test, blood specimen

Answer

87075: Culture and sensitivity test, urine specimen

Answer

87076: Culture and sensitivity test, other body fluid specimen

Question 13

What is the CPT code for a quantitative blood culture?

Accepted Answer

87045: Quantitative blood culture, aerobic and anaerobic

Answer

87046: Quantitative blood culture, aerobic only

Answer

87047: Quantitative blood culture, anaerobic only

Answer

87048: Blood culture, no susceptibility testing

Question 14

Assign the correct CPT code for a urinalysis with microscopic examination:

Accepted Answer

81001

Answer

81000

Answer

81002

Answer

81003

Question 15

Gross Examination Codes (88300-88309) are primarily intended for:

Accepted Answer

Initial examination of a surgical specimen

Answer

Microscopic examination of a surgical specimen

Answer

Pathology consultations

Answer

Laboratory tests

Question 16

A frozen section refers to:

Accepted Answer

Examining a tissue sample while still frozen

Answer

Processing and staining a tissue sample after freezing

Answer

Examining a tissue sample fresh

Answer

Fixing a tissue sample in formalin