Which problem category corresponds to a new or recent problem for which treatment has been started and the patient is improved, though resolution may not be complete?

Which problem category corresponds to a new or recent problem for which treatment has been started and the patient is improved, though resolution may not be complete?

• A. Stable, acute illness
• B. Undiagnosed new problem with uncertain prognosis
• C. Acute illness with systemic symptoms
• D. Acute, complicated injury

Answer: (A)

In this context, problem status in evaluation and management coding looks at how active and stable the issue is. Here, the problem is acute and recent, treatment has been started, and the patient is improving though not fully resolved yet. That combination—an acute problem that remains stable because of ongoing treatment—fits the description of a stable, acute illness. It isn’t an undiagnosed new problem with uncertain prognosis, it doesn’t mention systemic symptoms, and there’s no indication of a complicated injury, so the other categories aren’t a better match.

In this context, problem status in evaluation and management coding looks at how active and stable the issue is. Here, the problem is acute and recent, treatment has been started, and the patient is improving though not fully resolved yet. That combination—an acute problem that remains stable because of ongoing treatment—fits the description of a stable, acute illness. It isn’t an undiagnosed new problem with uncertain prognosis, it doesn’t mention systemic symptoms, and there’s no indication of a complicated injury, so the other categories aren’t a better match.