Certified Coding Associate (CCA) Practice Exam

To determine the principal diagnosis for a patient admitted with spotting after a prior miscarriage who is being treated for sepsis, it's essential to focus on the primary reason for the hospital admission and the context of the situation.

In this case, the principal diagnosis is most accurately identified as the condition that chiefly necessitated the hospital stay. The patient has a history of miscarriage and is currently experiencing spotting, which suggests potential complications related to their recent loss. The admission for treating sepsis indicates a serious infection, likely connected to retention of products of conception following the miscarriage.

While sepsis is a critical condition that requires immediate attention, it arises as a consequence of other underlying issues, such as possible retention of tissue from the previous miscarriage. This context suggests that the patient's admission is at least partially due to complications stemming from the prior miscarriage. Thus, while sepsis is significant, identifying the principal diagnosis focuses on the underlying issue that led to the complications being treated.

Consequently, the correct principal diagnosis is the prior miscarriage, as it is the underlying event that has led to the current medical situation requiring hospitalization. An accurate coding would reflect the sequence of events, where the miscarriage leads to the complexities of retention and subsequent sepsis, ultimately making the prior miscarriage the focal point of