AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC) — Question 47

Which one of the following is an example of a case in which a diabetes-related problem exists and the code for diabetes is never sequenced first?

Answer options

• A. If the patient has hyperglycemia that Is not responding to medication
• B. If the patient has an underdose of insulin due to an insulin pump malfunction
• C. If the patient is being treated for secondary diabetes
• D. If the patient is being treated for type 2 diabetes

Correct answer: B

Explanation

Option B is correct because an insulin pump malfunction causing an underdose is a specific issue that takes precedence over diabetes itself, thus diabetes is not coded first. The other options involve diabetes being treated directly or conditions related to diabetes, which would typically lead to diabetes being sequenced as the primary diagnosis.