Surgery Coding Practice Exam: 10 Questions to Test Your Surgical Coding Knowledge

This Surgery Coding practice exam is designed to help medical coders test their knowledge of surgical coding concepts commonly seen in certification exams and real-world coding scenarios.

Surgery Coding Practice Exam: 10 Questions to Test Your Surgical Coding Knowledge

If you're preparing for CPC, CCS, or other coding credentials, this mock test will help you:

· Assess your surgical CPT accuracy

· Identify weak areas before the real exam

· Improve coding confidence

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced coder, this practice exam will simulate real test-style thinking.

Instructions for Exam Takers

⏱ Suggested Time: 15–20 minutes
📊 Scoring:

· 1 point per correct answer

· 8–10 correct = Strong readiness

· 5–7 correct = Needs targeted review

· Below 5 = Revisit surgical coding fundamentals

Avoid guessing during the first attempt — treat this like a real certification mock test.

Surgery Coding Practice Exam (10 Questions)

1. A surgeon performs an open appendectomy due to acute appendicitis without rupture. Which CPT code is most appropriate?

A. 44950
B. 44960
C. 44970
D. 44979

2. A laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed without cholangiography. What CPT code should be reported?

A. 47562
B. 47563
C. 47600
D. 47564

3. A patient undergoes excision of a benign skin lesion measuring 1.2 cm on the arm. Which factor primarily determines the CPT code?

A. Location only
B. Depth of excision
C. Lesion size and margins
D. Closure technique only

4. A bilateral inguinal hernia repair is performed using open technique. What modifier is typically required?

A. Modifier 22
B. Modifier 50
C. Modifier 51
D. Modifier 59

5. During surgery, the physician performs a diagnostic laparoscopy that converts to an open procedure.
How should this be coded?

A. Report both laparoscopic and open codes
B. Report laparoscopic only
C. Report open procedure only
D. Report unlisted procedure

6. A layered closure is performed after excision of a lesion. How is closure reported?

A. Included in excision code
B. Reported separately as intermediate repair
C. Always complex repair
D. Reported with modifier 59

7. A surgeon performs carpal tunnel release using an open approach. Which CPT code range applies?

A. 64721
B. 29848
C. 64719
D. 25111

8. A procedure is discontinued after anesthesia due to patient instability. Which modifier may apply?

A. Modifier 52
B. Modifier 53
C. Modifier 22
D. Modifier 78

9. An excision of a malignant lesion includes 0.5 cm margins on each side. What determines final lesion size for coding?

A. Pathology report only
B. Visible lesion size only
C. Lesion + margins excised
D. Closure length

10. A surgeon performs multiple procedures in the same operative session. Which modifier indicates multiple procedures?

A. Modifier 25
B. Modifier 50
C. Modifier 51
D. Modifier 76

Answer Key + Brief Explanations

1. A. 44950
Open appendectomy without rupture is reported with 44950. Codes like 44960 indicate rupture or abscess.

2. A. 47562
47562 represents laparoscopic cholecystectomy without cholangiography. Adding imaging changes the CPT code.

3. C. Lesion size and margins
Excision coding depends on total diameter removed, including margins, not just visible lesion size.

4. B. Modifier 50
Modifier 50 indicates bilateral procedures when performed on both sides during the same session.

5. C. Report open procedure only
When laparoscopy converts to open, only the definitive open procedure is coded.

6. B. Reported separately as intermediate repair
Intermediate or complex closures may be reported separately if documentation supports layered closure.

7. A. 64721
Open carpal tunnel release is coded with 64721. Code 29848 is for endoscopic release.

8. B. Modifier 53
Modifier 53 indicates discontinued procedures due to patient safety concerns after anesthesia.

9. C. Lesion + margins excised
Malignant lesion coding includes margins removed, not just visible tumor size.

10. C. Modifier 51
Modifier 51 identifies multiple procedures performed in the same operative session.

How to Improve Your Score

If you missed a few questions, here’s how to boost your surgical coding accuracy:

📚 Study Tips

· Focus on CPT Surgery Guidelines first

· Learn lesion measurement rules (benign vs malignant)

· Memorize common modifiers (50, 51, 53)

🧠 Preparation Advice

· Practice operative report analysis daily

· Review bundled vs separately reportable services

· Use anatomy-based study methods for retention

Consistent mock testing improves both speed and confidence.

This Surgery Coding practice exam is a great checkpoint for evaluating your readiness for certification exams and real-world surgical coding scenarios.

To continue improving:

· Take weekly mock tests

· Review surgical CPT sections regularly

· Track weak areas and revise strategically

The more you practice, the stronger your coding accuracy becomes. Stay consistent, keep testing yourself, and build exam confidence step by step.