Medical Coding Practice Test

How should an individual look up an ICD-9-CM term?

1. Refer to Volume Three for the main term

2. Check the Alphabetic Index of Volume Two under the main term

3. Use Volume One for subterms

4. Consult with a healthcare provider

The correct answer is: Check the Alphabetic Index of Volume Two under the main term

To look up an ICD-9-CM term, one should check the Alphabetic Index of Volume Two under the main term. This is because Volume Two contains the Alphabetic Index, which lists the main terms in alphabetical order and provides a reference to the corresponding pages in Volume One where the subterms can be found. Option A is incorrect because Volume Three contains the Index to External Causes, not the main terms. Option C is incorrect because Volume One contains the Index to Diseases, not the subterms. Option D is not the most efficient method for looking up an ICD-9-CM term and should only be considered as a last resort. Checking the Alphabetic Index in Volume Two is the most direct and accurate way to find a specific term in the ICD-9-CM.