Question

question 25

a patient with aids presents for follow up care. an nk (natural killer cell) total count is ordered. what cpt® code(s) is/are reported?

86703
86357
86359
86361, 86359

Explanation:

Identify the ordered laboratory test

The physician ordered an "NK (natural killer cell) total count" for a patient with AIDS.

Evaluate CPT code descriptions

• 86703: Antibody; HIV-1 and HIV-2, single result.
• 86357: Natural killer (NK) cells, total count.
• 86359: T cells; total count.
• 86361: T cells; absolute CD4 count.

Determine the correct code

The specific test ordered is the NK (natural killer cell) total count, which directly maps to CPT code 86357.

Answer:

• 86703
• 86357 (Correct answer)
• 86359
• 86361, 86359