• If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ & read the forum rules. To view all forums, post or create a new thread, you must be an AAPC Member. If you are a member and have already registered for member area and forum access, you can log in by clicking here. If you've forgotten the password it can be reset on our sign in section by entering your registered Email Address or Username here. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below..

Wiki 97 Exam bullets

lkoch829

Guest
Messages
25
Best answers
0
Can one count the same bullet more than once when determining exam level? For example:

"Patient has positive bowel sounds in all four quadrants. No masses were noted. He does have pain with palpation in all abdominal quadrants."

Under the abdominal exam guidelines, it lists "exam of abdomen with notation of presence of masses or tenderness" as one element identified as a bullet. Can I count the statement above as using that "element" 3 times or does it count as the use of 1 "element"? It will make a difference in the overall level selected for the exam.

Thank you.
 
I would count it only once.

To me the pain would be part of the tenderness. - "Examination of abdomen with notation of presence of masses or tenderness"

It does not list palpation under the GI (Abdomen) area and my opinion, it would have to, to be able to count it. I reason that because palpation is mentioned under the chest bullet, the respiratory bullet, the lymphatic, and under the cardiovascular it mentions palpation of heart. To count palpation of the abdomen I think it would need to mention it under the GI bullet.

Any other opinions?

Can one count the same bullet more than once when determining exam level? For example:

"Patient has positive bowel sounds in all four quadrants. No masses were noted. He does have pain with palpation in all abdominal quadrants."

Under the abdominal exam guidelines, it lists "exam of abdomen with notation of presence of masses or tenderness" as one element identified as a bullet. Can I count the statement above as using that "element" 3 times or does it count as the use of 1 "element"? It will make a difference in the overall level selected for the exam.

Thank you.
 
Top