American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the American Academy of Professional Coders exam with our comprehensive quiz, featuring multiple-choice questions designed to enhance your coding skills and knowledge. Ideal for aspiring medical coders looking to succeed in the certification process.

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What does the suffix -centesis denote?

Surgical fixation
Puncture, tap
Plastic surgery
Surgical creation of an opening

The correct answer is: Puncture, tap

The suffix -centesis denotes a procedure involving a puncture or tap, often to withdraw fluid or gain access to a body cavity. This term originates from the Greek word "kentesis," which means a puncture or a stabbing. In medical contexts, it typically refers to procedures like amniocentesis (sampling of amniotic fluid) or thoracentesis (removal of fluid from the pleural space). This procedure is commonly used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, allowing healthcare providers to obtain fluids for testing or reduce fluid build-up in various conditions. Understanding the meaning of suffixes in medical terminology is essential for accurate medical coding and communication, and recognizing that -centesis specifically indicates puncture or tap is crucial for healthcare professionals who need to code procedures accurately.