Question

Which diagnosis gives the primary reason for a patient's outpatient visit?

A) Primary diagnosis
B) Principal diagnosis
C) Secondary diagnosis
D) Probable diagnosis
E) Z code diagnosis

Answer 1

The primary reason for a patient's outpatient visit is identified by the principal diagnosis, which is determined after study to be the main cause of the healthcare visit.

Step-by-step explanation:

The diagnosis that gives the primary reason for a patient's outpatient visit is known as the principal diagnosis. This is the condition established after study to be chiefly responsible for occasioning the patient's visit to the healthcare facility. In contrast, a primary diagnosis may be used more broadly in inpatient settings, a secondary diagnosis refers to a condition that coexists with the primary condition or develops during the hospital stay, a probable diagnosis is used when the condition is suspected but not confirmed, and a Z code diagnosis is primarily used to describe reasons for healthcare encounters other than a disease or injury.