American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Certification Practice Exam

What is the ICD-9-CM diagnostic code for other specified aplastic anemia secondary to chemotherapy?

1. 284.9

2. 284.89

3. 285.9

4. 285.22

The correct answer is: 284.89

The ICD-9-CM diagnostic code for "other specified aplastic anemia secondary to chemotherapy" is 284.89. This code is specifically designated for conditions that don't fall under more general categories but are recognized as significant enough to warrant their own classifications. In the context of aplastic anemia, it specifically identifies subtleties associated with secondary causes of the disease, such as those resulting from chemotherapy treatment. Aplastic anemia can be classified in various ways, and when it arises as a direct consequence of another condition or treatment (in this case, chemotherapy), it deserves a distinct code to accurately capture the patient's diagnosis and indicate the underlying cause. The other codes provided are either too general or apply to different conditions altogether. For instance, 284.9 represents unspecified aplastic anemia, which lacks the specificity required to convey that the anemia is secondary to chemotherapy. The codes 285.9 and 285.22 refer to other types of anemia that are not specifically associated with aplastic anemia or its secondary causes linked to chemotherapy. Therefore, 284.89 is the most appropriate choice for this specific diagnosis.