A 70-year-old patient with decompensated COPD is admitted to the hospital with acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma. What diagnosis code(s) is (are) reported?
A. J44.9
B. J44.1, J45.901
C. J47.9
D. J44.0
Answer (2)
The patient has decompensated COPD and acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma.
J44.1 represents COPD with acute exacerbation.
J45.901 represents unspecified asthma with acute exacerbation.
The correct diagnosis codes are \boxed{J44.1, J45.901}.
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are given a scenario where a 70-year-old patient has decompensated COPD and is admitted to the hospital due to an acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma. Our task is to identify the correct diagnosis code(s) from the provided options.
Analyzing the Diagnosis Codes Let's analyze the given diagnosis codes:
J44.9: COPD, unspecified
J44.1: COPD with acute exacerbation
J45.901: Unspecified asthma, with acute exacerbation
J47.9: Bronchiectasis, unspecified
J44.0: COPD with acute lower respiratory infection
Identifying the Correct Codes The patient has both COPD and asthma. The COPD is described as 'decompensated,' which implies an acute exacerbation. The asthma is also described as an acute exacerbation. Therefore, we need codes that reflect both conditions in an acute state.
Selecting the Correct Codes J44.1 (COPD with acute exacerbation) accurately describes the COPD component. J45.901 (Unspecified asthma, with acute exacerbation) accurately describes the asthma component. Therefore, the correct diagnosis codes are J44.1 and J45.901.
Examples
In healthcare, accurate diagnosis coding is essential for proper billing, medical record keeping, and public health tracking. For instance, if a hospital treats many patients with COPD and asthma exacerbations, correctly coding these conditions helps allocate resources, track trends, and improve patient care. Understanding the nuances of medical coding ensures that healthcare providers are accurately reimbursed for their services and that public health data reflects the true burden of disease.
The correct diagnosis codes for the patient are J44.1 (COPD with acute exacerbation) and J45.901 (Unspecified asthma with acute exacerbation). These codes accurately reflect the patient's critical health conditions at the time of admission.
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