Question

Nicole had been coding inpatient accounts for many years. She was not certified but was the “go‐to”
coder for any questions from her colleagues. She was encouraged many times to take her certification
test, but she knew how she felt about tests – she had a great disdain for anything timed! One day,
her manager, Vickie, told her she needed to take her test within the next three months as the hospital
was now requiring certification of all coders working for them. Nicole signed up to sit for her Certified
Coding Specialist (CCS) test. She studied a little. She was sure she knew the answers to the questions.
The more she studied, the more anxious she became. On the day of the test, she worked hard at
keeping her anxieties and fears under control. When she started to take the test she was
overwhelmed. She finished the test to the best of her knowledge. When Nicole walked out of the
testing center, she had her results – she failed.

1. If you were Nicole's manager, what would you suggest she do prior to taking the exam?

2. What resources should she use for studying?

3. If you were Nicole's close friend and fellow coder, and she told you she failed the exam, what would
you tell her? What would you suggest?

Answer 1

1. If I were Nicole's manager, I would suggest that she check the CCS test portions thoroughly and prepare for the examination systematically. I would advise her to keep herself calm prior to the test as well as during the test. She would also be advised that she doesn't have to be anxious about the examination since she is only getting certified with the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) test, for a job that she has been successfully doing for years. She also can do practice tests to overcome anxiety. She can practice meditation and taking deep breaths. She should try to get enough sleep If necessary, she can get pre-test counseling also.

2. Resources she should use for studying are:

a. CCS Exam-Study Guide - 2020 Edition by Medical Coding Pro which has questions/answers, practice tests, test stress/anxiety-reducing techniques, scoring sheets etc.

b. CCS examination preparation by Tina Cressman.

c. CCS examination preparation, 7th edition by  Shawn Wells Jennifer Garvin.

d. CCS examination preparation, 8th edition from AHIMA press, which gives information about various codes like CPT, HCPCS Level II, ICD-10-PCS, and ICD-10-CM with practice tests.

3.  If I were Nicole's close friend and fellow coder, and she told me that she failed the examination, I would have told her to stay calm and appear for the test again after taking the necessary precautions to avoid any test anxiety. I would suggest her to prepare well before the test and to do more practice tests.