Question

multiple choice question

______ are used around descriptions that do not affect the code.

brackets
colons
parentheses
quotation marks

Explanation:

Identify the punctuation convention

Using the Parentheses in ICD-10 and ICD-10 Punctuation Rules knowledge points
In ICD-10-CM coding, parentheses ( ) are used to enclose nonessential modifiers. These are supplementary words or descriptions that may be present or absent in the diagnostic statement without affecting the code assignment.

Evaluate the options

• Brackets: Used to enclose synonyms, alternative wording, or explanatory phrases.
• Colons: Used after an incomplete term that needs one or more of the modifiers following it to make it assignable to a given category.
• Parentheses: Enclose nonessential modifiers (descriptions that do not affect the code).
• Quotation marks: Not a standard ICD-10-CM punctuation convention for enclosing nonessential modifiers.

Answer:

• Brackets
• Colons
• Parentheses (Correct answer)
• Quotation marks