Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) Practice Exam – Prep & Study Guide

Assigning an acute code for a patient's discharged acute respiratory failure is appropriate because it accurately reflects the patient's current condition at the time of discharge. Acute respiratory failure is a severe medical issue that requires immediate care and management. By using an acute code, you are indicating that the patient experienced a significant and urgent health event that warranted clinical attention.

Using a code that represents the acute nature of the condition is essential for proper documentation, reporting, and reimbursement purposes. This coding captures the seriousness of the episode and helps in providing a comprehensive view of the patient's health status at the time of discharge.

In contrast, history codes do not apply because they refer to past conditions that no longer exist, while preventative codes are used for services aimed at preventing diseases rather than addressing current diagnoses. Current codes, while they may seem related, are not specific enough to describe the nature of an acute event like respiratory failure. Therefore, the acute code is the most precise and relevant choice in this scenario.