Answer :
Final answer:
The correct ICD-10-CM code for acute atopic conjunctivitis of the left eye is H10.21. Conjunctivitis can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or allergens. Proper differential diagnosis is critical due to the condition's variable etiology and potential contagiousness.
Explanation:
The student's question relates to the correct ICD-10-CM coding for a patient, Ken Brothers, who has been diagnosed with acute atopic conjunctivitis of the left eye. When dealing with medical coding for conditions such as conjunctivitis, it is crucial to select the code that most accurately describes the condition affecting the patient. Acute atopic conjunctivitis would be represented by the ICD-10-CM code H10.2, which signifies acute atopic conjunctivitis without laterality. However, because the condition affects specifically the left eye, the correct code would be more specific. The appropriate ICD-10-CM code for this case, indicating acute atopic conjunctivitis of the left eye, is H10.21.
Conjunctivitis can have various causative agents including bacteria, viruses, allergens, and chemicals, where viral conjunctivitis is often associated with symptoms like fever and watery discharge alongside an upper respiratory infection. Bacterial conjunctivitis typically features inflammation of the conjunctiva accompanied by a purulent discharge and may be caused by various bacterial species. Proper diagnosis and treatment are important due to the contagious nature of certain types of conjunctivitis.
