Question

Patient presents with a cyst on the arm. Upon examination the physician decides to incise and drain the cyst. The site is prepped and the physician takes a scalpel and cuts into the cyst. Purulent fluid is extracted from the cyst and a sample of the fluid is sent to the laboratory for evaluation. The wound is irrigated with normal saline and is covered with a bandage. The patient is to return in a week to ten days to re-examine the wound. Select the CPT® code for this procedure.

Answer 1

The patient with a cyst drained by a physician and checked for bacterial infection would be coded using the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) system based on the procedure specifics. The cyst's size and location influence the exact code used.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient who presents with a cyst on the arm and has undergone incision and drainage is often coded using the CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) system for billing and medical records. According to the CPT guidelines, the procedure described is typically accounted for under codes related to incision and drainage of an abscess or cyst. The specific code will depend on certain particulars like the size of the cyst and the exact location on the body. The sample of fluid sent for evaluation is a common practice to determine the presence of bacteria, which can help guide appropriate antibiotic treatment. The follow-up visit scheduled in a week to ten days will allow the physician to check the healing process and manage any potential complications.