Wiki Coding multiple kidney conditions?

[dee10535]

Came across a case in a book where patient had acute kidney failure. This was stated to be secondary to multiple other conditions, including intravascular volume depletion, acute nephrotoxicity due to several drugs, and acute tubular nephritis.

Answer was reported as the acute kidney failure code only. None of the other conditions (nephritis, intravascular volume depletion, nephrotoxicity from drugs) were coded.

I'm confused as to why this is the case, can someone explain it?

 

[lsjack]

Came across a case in a book where patient had acute kidney failure. This was stated to be secondary to multiple other conditions, including intravascular volume depletion, acute nephrotoxicity due to several drugs, and acute tubular nephritis.

Answer was reported as the acute kidney failure code only. None of the other conditions (nephritis, intravascular volume depletion, nephrotoxicity from drugs) were coded.

I'm confused as to why this is the case, can someone explain it?

Hi dee10535,

I believe what you have listed are some of the symptoms of acute kidney failure. Acute kidney failure is a definitive diagnosis and should be coded as the primary code.