Certified Inpatient Coding (CIC) Practice Exam

What is the principal diagnosis for a patient with confirmed Clostridium difficile enterocolitis?

1. E86.0

2. A04.72

3. K52.9

4. A04.9

The correct answer is: A04.72

The principal diagnosis for a patient with confirmed Clostridium difficile enterocolitis is classified with the code A04.72. This code specifically identifies Clostridium difficile as the causative agent of the enterocolitis, which is a severe inflammation of the intestine, associated with diarrhea and potentially serious complications. A04.72 is a specific code that highlights both the infectious nature of the condition and the specific pathogen involved, which is crucial for accurate medical coding and billing processes. Coding the principal diagnosis correctly supports appropriate healthcare reimbursement and accurate statistical data for epidemiological purposes. The other choices do not accurately represent Clostridium difficile enterocolitis. For example, E86.0 refers to dehydration, which is a potential result of enterocolitis but does not define the infection itself. K52.9 is a code for noninfectious gastroenteritis and colitis, and A04.9 is a general code for bacterial intestinal infection, unspecified, which lacks the specificity required for this particular diagnosis.