Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Practice Test

What injury did the patient sustain in the car accident?

1. Fractured wrist

2. Right rotator cuff injury

3. Concussion

4. Herniated disc

The correct answer is: Right rotator cuff injury

The correct answer indicates that the patient sustained a right rotator cuff injury during the car accident. This type of injury commonly occurs due to sudden impact or the force of the body being thrown against the seatbelt or steering wheel in an accident, leading to strains or tears in the rotator cuff muscles and tendons. The rotator cuff is crucial for maintaining shoulder stability and mobility, and injuries to this area can significantly affect a person's range of motion and arm function. Other injuries, while possible in car accidents, were not specified in the scenario. For instance, a fractured wrist may occur if the patient braced themselves with their arms during impact, and a concussion can happen if there is a sudden stop causing the head to move. A herniated disc could result from the spinal stress during a collision but was less likely to be the primary injury referenced here. Each option represents a distinct type of injury, but the context or mechanisms of the car accident particularly relate to the potential of a rotator cuff injury being the most relevant and likely outcome in this case.