Chapter XII - Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue

Question 1

What is the axis of classification within Chapter XII - Disease of the skin and subcutaneous tissue?

Answer 1

The axis of classification is the type of disease affecting the skin.

Question 2

How should a gangrenous ulcer be coded?

Answer 2

• Code for the ulcer
• add R02.X Gangrene

Question 3

If the infectious organism is known, how should skin infections be coded?

Answer 3

Add a code from **B95-B98 Bacterial, viral and other infectious agents ** must be assigned in addition to the skin disorder to identify the infectious organism

Question 4

What are the 2 types of contact dermatitis?

Answer 4

1. Allergic contact dermatitis
2. Irritant contact dermatitis

Question 5

How must a patient with multiple ulcers of multiple skin sites with differing stages/grades be coded?

Answer 5

It is only necessary to assign one code for the ulcer of the highest stage/grade

Question 6

How many stages/grades of decubitus ulcer are classified at the category L89.- ?

Answer 6

Four

Question 7

How must cellulitis with pressure ulcer or leg ulcer be coded?

Answer 7

Both conditions must be coded

Question 8

How must an infected pressure ulcer or leg ulcer be coded?

Answer 8

1. L89.- Decubitus ulcer and pressure area or L97.X Ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified
2. L08.9 Local infection of skin and subcutaneous tissue, unspecified
3. B95-B98 Bacterial, viral and other infectious agents (if known)

(add R02.X if gangrenous)

Question 9

When must L89.9 Decubitus ulcer and pressure area, unspecified be assigned?

Answer 9

If the responsible consultant has not documented the stage/grade of the pressure ulcer or it is documented as ‘unstageable’