In simple words: Laboratory tests or examinations of fluids or tissues from the digestive system, such as the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, or abdominal cavity, show unusual or unexpected results, but a specific diagnosis hasn’t been determined yet.

Abnormal findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity. Includes: abnormal findings in peritoneal fluid; abnormal findings in saliva. Excludes1: cloudy peritoneal dialysis effluent (R88.0) and fecal abnormalities (R19.5).

Example 1: A patient presents with abdominal pain and bloating. A peritoneal fluid sample is taken and shows elevated white blood cell count, but no bacteria are identified. R85 is used until further tests confirm a diagnosis like pancreatitis or a non-infectious inflammatory process., During a routine endoscopic exam, a tissue biopsy from the stomach lining reveals abnormal cell structure. R85 is used until further pathology tests clarify if the abnormality represents inflammation, dysplasia or early-stage cancer., A patient undergoing evaluation for chronic diarrhea provides a saliva sample for analysis. The results show abnormal enzyme levels, but the cause is unclear. R85 is applied temporarily until further investigation can differentiate between conditions like malabsorption syndrome or cystic fibrosis-related pancreatic insufficiency.

Documentation should include the specific specimen collected (e.g., peritoneal fluid, saliva, tissue biopsy), the specific test performed, the abnormal finding, and any associated signs or symptoms. 

** R85 should be used as a temporary placeholder until further investigation reveals a specific diagnosis. It is crucial to document the ongoing investigation for the abnormal findings.