ICD-10 Chapter 4 Descriptive MCQs

Question 1:

A 45-year-old male patient presents to the clinic with symptoms of increased thirst, frequent
urination, and unexplained weight loss. Laboratory tests reveal a fasting blood glucose level of 210
mg/dL and HbA1c of 8.5%. The physician diagnoses the patient with diabetes mellitus. What is the
correct ICD-10-CM code for this diagnosis, and how does it accurately describe the patient's
condition?

A) E11.9 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications

B) E10.9 - Type 1 diabetes mellitus without complications

C) E11.65 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia

D) E13.9 - Other specified diabetes mellitus without complications

Answer:

C) E11.65 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia.

Answer Description:

This code accurately represents the patient’s condition as Type 2 diabetes mellitus with
hyperglycemia, as indicated by the elevated blood glucose and HbA1c levels. The diagnosis is
supported by clinical findings such as increased thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss, which are
classic symptoms of hyperglycemia. E11.9 would be incorrect since it does not capture the
hyperglycemia. E10.9 refers to Type 1 diabetes, which is not indicated in this case. E13.9 is used for
other specified diabetes conditions, not Type 2 diabetes.

Question 2:

A 62-year-old female patient with a known history of Type 2 diabetes mellitus is admitted with
symptoms of confusion, blurred vision, and dehydration. Laboratory results indicate a blood glucose
level of 600 mg/dL, and a diagnosis of hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) is made. What is the
most appropriate ICD-10-CM code to describe this scenario?

A) E11.9 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications

B) E11.69 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with other specified complications

C) E11.00 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hyperosmolarity without nonketotic hyperglycemic-
hyperosmolar state

D) E11.01 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hyperosmolarity with coma

Answer:

C) E11.00 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hyperosmolarity without nonketotic hyperglycemic-

hyperosmolar state.

Answer Description:

This code captures the hyperosmolar state without coma, as evidenced by the patient’s symptoms
and lab results. E11.01 would be used if the patient were comatose. E11.69 is too vague and does
not specify hyperosmolarity. E11.9 is incorrect since complications are present.

Question 3:

A 55-year-old patient with a history of Type 1 diabetes mellitus presents to the emergency
department with severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and deep, rapid breathing. Laboratory
findings reveal a blood glucose level of 350 mg/dL, positive serum ketones, and metabolic acidosis.
What is the correct ICD-10-CM code for this diagnosis?

A) E10.9 - Type 1 diabetes mellitus without complications

B) E10.10 - Type 1 diabetes mellitus with ketoacidosis without coma

C) E10.11 - Type 1 diabetes mellitus with ketoacidosis with coma

D) E11.65 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia

Answer:

B) E10.10 - Type 1 diabetes mellitus with ketoacidosis without coma.

Answer Description:

This code is appropriate because the patient’s symptoms indicate diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
without coma, characterized by high blood glucose, ketones, and metabolic acidosis. E10.11 would
apply if the patient were unconscious. E10.9 does not specify DKA, and E11.65 applies to Type 2
diabetes mellitus, which is not relevant here.
Question 8:

A 37-year-old male patient presents with symptoms of fatigue, weight gain, and cold intolerance.
Laboratory tests reveal elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and low thyroxine (T4) levels.
The physician diagnoses Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. What is the correct ICD-10-CM code for this
condition?

A) E03.9 - Hypothyroidism, unspecified

B) E06.3 - Autoimmune thyroiditis

C) E06.5 - Thyroiditis, unspecified

D) E05.90 - Thyrotoxicosis, unspecified

Answer:

B) E06.3 - Autoimmune thyroiditis.

Answer Description:

This code accurately describes Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition causing chronic
inflammation of the thyroid gland, often leading to hypothyroidism. E03.9 is too broad and does not
specify the autoimmune nature. E06.5 is vague, and E05.90 relates to thyrotoxicosis, not
hypothyroidism.

Question 9:

A 48-year-old female patient with a history of hypothyroidism presents with symptoms of fatigue,
hair loss, and weight gain despite taking her medication regularly. Blood tests show elevated TSH and
low T4 levels. The physician diagnoses medication-induced hypothyroidism. What is the correct ICD-
10-CM code?

A) E03.2 - Hypothyroidism due to medicaments and other exogenous substances

B) E03.9 - Hypothyroidism, unspecified

C) E06.3 - Autoimmune thyroiditis

D) E03.5 - Myxedema coma

Answer:
A) E03.2 - Hypothyroidism due to medicaments and other exogenous substances.

Answer Description:

This code is appropriate for hypothyroidism caused by medications or external substances. E03.9 is
too vague, E06.3 relates to autoimmune thyroiditis, and E03.5 is specific to a life-threatening
condition, not chronic hypothyroidism.

Question 10:

A 65-year-old male patient with Type 2 diabetes mellitus presents with decreased sensation in his
feet, leading to a diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy. What is the correct ICD-10-CM code for this
condition?

A) E11.9 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications

B) E11.42 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic polyneuropathy

C) E11.40 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic neuropathy, unspecified

D) E11.49 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with other diabetic neurological complication

Answer:

B) E11.42 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic polyneuropathy.

Answer Description:

This code specifically captures diabetic neuropathy affecting multiple nerves. E11.40 is too broad,
E11.49 is less specific, and E11.9 does not include complications.

ICD-10 Chapter 4 Descriptive MCQs

Question 1:
A 45-year-old male patient presents to the clinic with symptoms of increased thirst, frequent
urination, and unexplained weight loss. Laboratory tests reveal a fasting blood glucose level
of 210 mg/dL and HbA1c of 8.5%. The physician diagnoses the patient with diabetes
mellitus. What is the correct ICD-10-CM code for this diagnosis, and how does it accurately
describe the patient's condition?
A) E11.9 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications B) E10.9 - Type 1 diabetes
mellitus without complications C) E11.65 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia D)
E13.9 - Other specified diabetes mellitus without complications

Answer: C) E11.65 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia.

Answer Description: This code accurately represents the patient’s condition as Type 2
diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia, as indicated by the elevated blood glucose and HbA1c
levels. The diagnosis is supported by clinical findings such as increased thirst, frequent
urination, and weight loss, which are classic symptoms of hyperglycemia. E11.9 would be
incorrect since it does not capture the hyperglycemia. E10.9 refers to Type 1 diabetes, which
is not indicated in this case. E13.9 is used for other specified diabetes conditions, not Type 2
diabetes.

Question 2:
A 62-year-old female patient with a known history of Type 2 diabetes mellitus is admitted
with symptoms of confusion, blurred vision, and dehydration. Laboratory results indicate a
blood glucose level of 600 mg/dL, and a diagnosis of hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state
(HHS) is made. What is the most appropriate ICD-10-CM code to describe this scenario?

A) E11.9 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications B) E11.69 - Type 2 diabetes

mellitus with other specified complications C) E11.00 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with
hyperosmolarity without nonketotic hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar state D) E11.01 - Type 2
diabetes mellitus with hyperosmolarity with coma

Answer: C) E11.00 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hyperosmolarity without nonketotic

hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar state.

Answer Description: This code captures the hyperosmolar state without coma, as evidenced
by the patient’s symptoms and lab results. E11.01 would be used if the patient were
comatose. E11.69 is too vague and does not specify hyperosmolarity. E11.9 is incorrect since
complications are present.

Question 3:
A 55-year-old patient with a history of Type 1 diabetes mellitus presents to the emergency
department with severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and deep, rapid breathing.
Laboratory findings reveal a blood glucose level of 350 mg/dL, positive serum ketones, and
metabolic acidosis. What is the correct ICD-10-CM code for this diagnosis?

A) E10.9 - Type 1 diabetes mellitus without complications B) E10.10 - Type 1 diabetes

mellitus with ketoacidosis without coma C) E10.11 - Type 1 diabetes mellitus with
ketoacidosis with coma D) E11.65 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia
Answer: B) E10.10 - Type 1 diabetes mellitus with ketoacidosis without coma.

Answer Description: This code is appropriate because the patient’s symptoms indicate
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) without coma, characterized by high blood glucose, ketones, and
metabolic acidosis. E10.11 would apply if the patient were unconscious. E10.9 does not
specify DKA, and E11.65 applies to Type 2 diabetes mellitus, which is not relevant here.

Question 8:
A 37-year-old male patient presents with symptoms of fatigue, weight gain, and cold
intolerance. Laboratory tests reveal elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and low
thyroxine (T4) levels. The physician diagnoses Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. What is the correct
ICD-10-CM code for this condition?

A) E03.9 - Hypothyroidism, unspecified B) E06.3 - Autoimmune thyroiditis C) E06.5 -

Thyroiditis, unspecified D) E05.90 - Thyrotoxicosis, unspecified

Answer: B) E06.3 - Autoimmune thyroiditis.

Answer Description: This code accurately describes Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an

autoimmune condition causing chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland, often leading to
hypothyroidism. E03.9 is too broad and does not specify the autoimmune nature. E06.5 is
vague, and E05.90 relates to thyrotoxicosis, not hypothyroidism.

Question 9:
A 48-year-old female patient with a history of hypothyroidism presents with symptoms of
fatigue, hair loss, and weight gain despite taking her medication regularly. Blood tests show
elevated TSH and low T4 levels. The physician diagnoses medication-induced
hypothyroidism. What is the correct ICD-10-CM code?

A) E03.2 - Hypothyroidism due to medicaments and other exogenous substances B) E03.9 -

Hypothyroidism, unspecified C) E06.3 - Autoimmune thyroiditis D) E03.5 - Myxedema
coma

Answer: A) E03.2 - Hypothyroidism due to medicaments and other exogenous substances.

Answer Description: This code is appropriate for hypothyroidism caused by medications or

external substances. E03.9 is too vague, E06.3 relates to autoimmune thyroiditis, and E03.5 is
specific to a life-threatening condition, not chronic hypothyroidism.

Question 10:
A 65-year-old male patient with Type 2 diabetes mellitus presents with decreased sensation
in his feet, leading to a diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy. What is the correct ICD-10-CM
code for this condition?

A) E11.9 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications B) E11.42 - Type 2 diabetes

mellitus with diabetic polyneuropathy C) E11.40 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic
neuropathy, unspecified D) E11.49 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with other diabetic
neurological complication

Answer: B) E11.42 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic polyneuropathy.

Answer Description: This code specifically captures diabetic neuropathy affecting multiple
nerves. E11.40 is too broad, E11.49 is less specific, and E11.9 does not include
complications.