CCA Information Technologies Practice Questions
Information Technologies makes up 4 of every 50 questions on a Tigertest CCA practice test. Here are 10 of the 16 questions on it, each with the answer and the reason.
Updated by the Tigertest team. Weighted to the AHIMA CCA Exam Content Outline. Original questions on coding guidelines and concepts; not affiliated with AHIMA.
1. An encoder that asks the coder a series of questions to lead to a code is a:
- A.Claim scrubber
- B.Logic-based encoder
- C.Automated codebook
- D.Grouper program
Answer: B. A logic-based encoder walks the coder through prompts about the documentation to reach a code. An automated codebook lets the coder look up terms and browse the electronic Index and Tabular instead.
2. Software that assigns an MS-DRG from the codes and other patient data is a:
- A.Chargemaster
- B.Abstract system
- C.Encoder
- D.Grouper
Answer: D. A grouper places the case in an MS-DRG (or an outpatient service in an APC) from the codes and data such as age, sex and discharge status. An encoder helps assign the codes themselves.
3. Computer-assisted coding reads clinical text and suggests codes by using:
- A.Natural language processing
- B.Speech recognition
- C.Optical mark reading
- D.Barcode scanning
Answer: A. CAC uses natural language processing to find diagnoses and procedures in the documentation and suggest codes. Speech recognition turns dictation into text but does not suggest codes.
4. CAC suggests a code that the documentation does not support. The coder should:
- A.Code it and flag it for audit
- B.Pass it to billing unchanged
- C.Reject the suggested code
- D.Accept it as the software found it
Answer: C. CAC suggestions are only suggestions; the coder validates each one against the record and rejects any the documentation does not support. Coding an unsupported code is a compliance risk whatever tool proposed it.
5. In computer-assisted coding, precision measures the:
- A.Codes it suggests per hour
- B.Records coded with no review
- C.Share of its suggestions that are correct
- D.Share of all needed codes it suggested
Answer: C. Precision is the proportion of suggested codes that are correct. Recall is the proportion of the codes that should be assigned that the system actually found.
6. A known risk of copying and pasting notes in the EHR is:
- A.Outdated findings carried forward
- B.Duplicate patient numbers
- C.Slower system response
- D.Loss of the audit trail
Answer: A. Cloned or copied text can carry old findings into a new note, so the record no longer shows the patient's true condition and may support codes that are not current. The audit trail still records the entry.
7. A log showing who viewed or changed an EHR entry, and when, is the:
- A.Problem list
- B.Disclosure accounting
- C.Chart locator
- D.Audit trail
Answer: D. The audit trail records user, date, time and action for each access or change. An accounting of disclosures is the list given to a patient of certain releases of their PHI.
8. A system in which providers enter orders directly into the computer is:
- A.PACS
- B.CPOE
- C.CDS
- D.MPI
Answer: B. Computerized provider order entry replaces handwritten orders and cuts errors from illegible handwriting. CDS is clinical decision support and PACS stores images.
9. An EHR alert that warns of a drug allergy when an order is entered is an example of:
- A.Natural language processing
- B.Clinical decision support
- C.Computer-assisted coding
- D.Chart deficiency tracking
Answer: B. Clinical decision support gives clinicians alerts, reminders and guidance at the point of care. CAC suggests codes for HIM, not clinical warnings.
10. Which is an example of structured data in an EHR?
- A.Scanned outside consult letter
- B.Free-text progress note narrative
- C.Dictated and transcribed op note
- D.Allergy chosen from a pick list
Answer: D. Structured data is entered in defined fields or from set choices, so a computer can sort and report it. Dictated, scanned and free-text documents are unstructured.
Practice all 16 information technologies questions, and the rest of the 200-question bank, in the free CCA training sets. Questions you miss come back until you have mastered them.
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