Medical Coding CPC Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (11–20)

Question 1

The patella is classified as which type of bone?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Sesamoid bone. The patella (kneecap) is a sesamoid bone — a bone embedded within a tendon (the quadriceps/patellar tendon). It increases the mechanical advantage of the quadriceps muscles.

Question 2

Melanocytes are found primarily in which skin layer and produce which substance?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Epidermis; melanin. Melanocytes reside in the basal layer of the epidermis and produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin, hair, and eye color, and protection against UV radiation.

Question 3

A full-thickness burn that destroys the epidermis, dermis, and extends into subcutaneous tissue is classified as:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Third-degree (full-thickness) burn. Third-degree (full-thickness) burns destroy both the epidermis and dermis and extend into subcutaneous tissue. They appear white, leathery, or charred and are insensate because nerve endings are destroyed.

Question 4

The lower chambers of the heart are called the:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Ventricles. The heart has two upper chambers (atria) and two lower chambers (ventricles). The ventricles pump blood out of the heart — the right ventricle to the lungs and the left ventricle to the body.

Question 5

The mitral (bicuspid) valve is located between which two chambers?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Left atrium and left ventricle. The mitral (bicuspid) valve lies between the left atrium and the left ventricle, preventing backflow during ventricular systole. The tricuspid valve is on the right side.

Question 6

Arteries differ from veins primarily in that arteries:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Carry blood away from the heart under higher pressure. Arteries carry blood away from the heart (both oxygenated and deoxygenated — e.g., pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood). Veins carry blood toward the heart and have valves to prevent backflow.

Question 7

The sinoatrial (SA) node, which initiates the heartbeat, is located in the:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Right atrium near the superior vena cava. The SA node (natural pacemaker) is located in the wall of the right atrium near the opening of the superior vena cava. It fires at 60–100 impulses per minute and initiates each cardiac cycle.

Question 8

The epiglottis prevents aspiration during swallowing by covering the:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Glottis (laryngeal inlet). The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped cartilage that folds over the glottis (vocal cords and opening to the trachea) during swallowing, directing food and liquid into the esophagus rather than the airway.

Question 9

The right lung has how many lobes?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Three lobes (upper, middle, lower). The right lung has three lobes — upper, middle, and lower — separated by the horizontal and oblique fissures. The left lung has two lobes (upper and lower) to accommodate the cardiac notch.

Question 10

Bile is produced by the liver but stored in the:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Gallbladder. Bile is synthesized by hepatocytes in the liver, stored and concentrated in the gallbladder, and released into the duodenum via the common bile duct to emulsify dietary fats.

Medical Coding CPC Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (11–20)

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