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

Disable ads (and more) with a premium pass for a one time $4.99 payment

Study for the Certified Inpatient Coding Test. Get ready to excel with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare thoroughly for your exam!

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.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy