Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Practice Test

What is the term for diverting or creating an artificial passage in the body?

1. Bypass

2. Shunt

3. Fistula

4. Ostomy

The correct answer is: Shunt

The correct term for diverting or creating an artificial passage in the body is "shunt." A shunt typically refers to a surgical procedure or device used to redirect the flow of bodily fluids from one area to another. This can occur, for example, when a doctor needs to alleviate pressure in a part of the body by creating an alternative pathway for fluid—often in the context of blood flow or cerebral spinal fluid. While both "fistula" and "ostomy" involve the creation of artificial passages, they have different specific contexts. A fistula generally refers to an abnormal connection between two organs or vessels that normally wouldn’t connect, which can occur spontaneously or be surgically created. An ostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an opening in the body for the purpose of expelling waste, typically when normal elimination routes are not possible. A bypass usually refers specifically to a procedure designed to bypass a blockage in the blood vessels or another structure, rather than creating an artificial passage. Therefore, "shunt" is the most accurate term based on the definition provided in the question, as it implies a redirection of flow through an artificial passage.