ICD-10-PCS Character Analysis: Test Your Knowledge of Character 3 – Root Operation or Type

Medical and Surgical root operations include: Alteration, Bypass, Change, Control, Creation, Destruction, Detachment, Dilation, Division, Drainage, Excision, Extraction, Extirpation, Fragmentation, Fusion, Insertion, Inspection, Map, Occlusion, Reattachment, Release, Removal, Repair, Replacement, Reposition, Restriction, Resection, Revision, Supplement, Transfer, and Transplantation.

Obstetrics root operations include: Abortion, Change, Delivery, Drainage, Extraction, Insertion, Inspection, Removal, Repair, Reposition, Resection, and Transplantation.

Administration root operations include: Introduction, Irrigation, and Transfusion.

Measurement and Monitoring root operations include: Measurement and Monitoring.

Extracorporeal Assistance and Performance root operations include: Assistance, Performance, and Restoration.

Extracorporeal Therapies root operations include: Atmospheric Control, Decompression, Electromagnetic Therapy, Hyperthermia, Hypotheramia, Pheresis, Phototherapy, Ultrasound Therapy, Ultraviolet Light Therapy, and Shock Wave Therapy.

The only Osteopathic root operation is: Treatment.

The only Chiropractic root operation is: Manipulation.

Imaging root types include: Computerized Tomography (CT scan), Fluoroscopy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Plain Radiography, and Ultrasonography.

Nuclear Medicine root types include: Nonimaging Nuclear Medicine Assay, Nonimaging Nuclear Medicine Probe, Nonimaging Nuclear Medicine Uptake, Planar Nuclear Medicine, Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Systemic Nuclear Medicine Therapy, and Tomographic Nuclear Medicine Imaging.

Radiation Therapy root types include: Beam Radiation, Brachytherapy, Other Radiation, and Stereotactic Radiosurgery.

Physical Rehabilitation and Diagnostic Audiology root types include: Activities of Daily Living Assessment, Activities of Daily Living Treatment, Caregiver Training, Cochlear Implant Treatment, Device Fitting, Hearing Aid Assessment, Hearing Assessment, Hearing Treatment, Motor and/or Nerve Function Assessment, Motor Treatment, Speech Assessment, Speech Treatment, Vestibular Assessment, and Vestibular Treatment.

Mental Health root types include: Biofeedback, Counseling, Crisis Intervention, Electroconvulsive Therapy, Family Psychotherapy, Group Therapy, Hypnosis, Individual Psychotherapy, Light Therapy, Narcosynthesis, and Psychological Tests.

Substance Abuse root types include: Detoxification Services, Family Counseling, Group Counseling, Individual Counseling, Individual Psychotherapy, Medication Management, and Pharmacotherapy.

For the official definitions of these root operations and types, see the Definitions appendix in ICD-10-PCS. The following is a simple exercise that promotes understanding:

Using the ICD-10-PCS Definitions appendix, answer the following questions (the answer key is provided at the end of the test):

1. Locating the route of passage of electrical impulses and/or locating functional areas in a body part is the definition for:

a. Shock Wave Therapy             b. Map 

2. Completely closing an orifice or the lumen of a tubular body part is the definition for:

a. Occlusion                              b. Restriction

3. Extracorporeal separation of blood products is the definition for:

a. Transfusion                            b. Pheresis

4. Methodologies which attempt to remediate or cure a disorder or disease is the definition for:

a. Repair                                    b. Other Procedures

5. A manual procedure that involves a directed thrust to move a joint past the physiological range of motion without exceeding the anatomical limit is the definition for:

a. Manipulation                           b. Reposition

Using ICD-10-PCS 2014 Index, identify the root operation or root type listed in the index for the following procedures (the answer key is provided at the end of the test): 

Answer key(sources are the ICD-10-PCS 2014 Definitions and Index): 

1. Locating the route of passage of electrical impulses and/or locating functional areas in a body part is the definition for:

a. Shock Wave Therapy             b. Map 

2. Completely closing an orifice or the lumen of a tubular body part is the definition for:

a. Occlusion                              b. Restriction

3. Extracorporeal separation of blood products is the definition for:

a. Transfusion                            b. Pheresis

4. Methodologies which attempt to remediate or cure a disorder or disease is the definition for:

a. Repair                                    b. Other Procedures

5. A manual procedure that involves a directed thrust to move a joint past the physiological range of motion without exceeding the anatomical limit is the definition for:

a. Manipulation                           b. Reposition

To access the 2014 ICD-10-PCS electronic files, go online to http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/ICD10/2014-ICD-10-PCS.html, then scroll down and download the folder titled “2014 Code Tables and Index.” When you open the folder, you will see the following file: “PCS_2014.” This PDF file is the ICD-10-PCS 2014 Tables and Index.