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2025 ICD-10-CM code N17.8

Other acute kidney failure; This code is used when there is a specific diagnosis of AKI (non-traumatic) but it doesn't fit into other, more specific categories of AKI.

Coding guidelines for N17.8 emphasize the importance of using the most specific code possible based on available clinical documentation.The absence of specific morphological findings (like necrosis) in the presence of acute kidney failure warrants the application of this code.Proper documentation is crucial for accurate coding.

Medical necessity for the diagnosis and management of acute kidney injury is established based on the clinical presentation (e.g., oliguria, anuria, altered mental status, fluid overload, electrolyte imbalances), laboratory evidence of impaired kidney function, and the potential for serious complications (e.g., uremia, fluid overload, electrolyte disturbances). Treatment is considered medically necessary to prevent or mitigate these complications and improve patient outcomes.

The clinical responsibility for a patient with N17.8 involves comprehensive assessment, including thorough history taking, physical examination, laboratory investigations (blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, electrolytes), urinalysis, and imaging studies (ultrasound or CT scan) as necessary to determine the underlying cause and severity of the AKI. Management includes supportive care (fluid balance management, electrolyte correction), treatment of underlying causes, and monitoring of kidney function.Close collaboration with nephrology specialists may be necessary in severe cases.

IMPORTANT:Consider N17.0 (Acute kidney failure with tubular necrosis), N17.1 (Acute kidney failure with acute cortical necrosis), N17.2 (Acute kidney failure with medullary necrosis), and N17.9 (Acute kidney failure, unspecified) depending on the specific type of acute kidney failure.Always refer to the complete clinical picture and supporting documentation to ensure the most accurate code selection.

In simple words: This code means the person has a sudden problem with their kidneys that isn't caused by an injury or other specific condition.The kidneys aren't working properly, which causes a build-up of waste products in the body.This requires medical attention.

N17.8, "Other acute kidney failure," is an ICD-10-CM code used to classify acute kidney injury (AKI) cases that don't meet the criteria for more specific AKI codes (N17.0-N17.2).AKI is characterized by a sudden decrease in kidney function, leading to a buildup of waste products in the blood and fluid imbalance.This code applies to non-traumatic AKI with documented specificity, excluding conditions like post-traumatic renal failure (T79.5), drug-induced tubulo-interstitial conditions, and other extrarenal causes of uremia.The diagnosis should be supported by clinical findings and laboratory results indicating impaired kidney function.

Example 1: A 65-year-old male patient with sepsis presents with oliguria, elevated serum creatinine, and decreased glomerular filtration rate.No specific type of necrosis is identified, leading to the use of N17.8., A 40-year-old female patient with a history of autoimmune disease develops AKI after receiving a new medication.Laboratory results demonstrate impaired kidney function without evidence of tubular, cortical, or medullary necrosis, thus N17.8 is assigned., A 70-year-old patient with heart failure experiences a sudden drop in urine output and elevated blood creatinine levels.Evaluation reveals AKI, but there's no specific morphological diagnosis (i.e. no mention of necrosis), resulting in the assignment of code N17.8.

Detailed history and physical examination, laboratory results (serum creatinine, BUN, electrolytes), urinalysis, imaging studies (if performed), and any details regarding medication history, underlying medical conditions, and potential causative factors are essential for accurate coding of N17.8.Specific documentation of the lack of tubular, cortical, or medullary necrosis should be present to support the selection of this code.

** This code should be used cautiously and only when the documentation specifically excludes the other more precise AKI codes (N17.0, N17.1, N17.2). The underlying cause of the AKI should also be documented, and may require additional coding.

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