2025 ICD-10-CM code R10.0
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Symptoms - Symptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomen (R10-R19) Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99) Feed
Acute abdomen; severe, generalized abdominal pain, often accompanied by abdominal rigidity.
Not applicable to ICD-10 codes. Modifiers are used with CPT and HCPCS codes.
Medical necessity for R10.0 is established by the patient presenting with severe abdominal pain requiring immediate medical evaluation and potential intervention. The underlying diagnosis requiring treatment is determined based on further clinical investigations.
The clinical responsibility for a patient with R10.0 (Acute abdomen) includes prompt assessment of vital signs, a detailed history focusing on the onset, location, severity, and character of abdominal pain, a thorough physical examination, and the ordering of appropriate diagnostic tests to identify the underlying cause of the acute abdomen. Depending on the findings, the management might range from conservative treatment to emergent surgical intervention.
- Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)
- Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified; Symptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomen
In simple words: This code means you have severe and sudden abdominal pain, possibly all over your belly, and your belly muscles might feel hard. This is serious and needs immediate medical attention because there could be many reasons for this pain, and they need to be checked out right away.
R10.0, Acute abdomen, is an ICD-10-CM code representing severe abdominal pain of sudden onset, often generalized and accompanied by abdominal rigidity.It signifies a critical clinical situation requiring immediate medical attention due to the potential for serious underlying conditions. The etiology is often not immediately apparent, requiring further investigation to determine the precise cause, which could range from appendicitis to intestinal obstruction or other internal emergencies.The diagnosis is based on clinical presentation, including the severity and location of the pain, the presence of rigidity, and other associated symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and fever. Additional investigations, such as imaging studies, blood tests, and possibly surgical exploration, may be necessary to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
Example 1: A 25-year-old female presents to the emergency department with sudden onset of severe right lower quadrant abdominal pain, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever.Physical examination reveals tenderness and guarding in the right lower quadrant.The clinical suspicion is appendicitis.R10.0 is used to capture the acute abdominal pain., A 60-year-old male with a history of diverticulitis is admitted to the hospital with worsening abdominal pain, distension, and fever.CT scan reveals a perforated diverticulum with peritonitis.R10.0 is documented to reflect the acute abdomen and is likely accompanied by other ICD-10 codes representing the underlying cause., A 70-year-old female with a history of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) presents to the emergency department with severe, sudden onset of abdominal pain and hypotension. The diagnosis of ruptured AAA is suspected. R10.0 is used along with codes specifying the ruptured AAA and its complications.
Complete and detailed documentation is critical. The medical record must include a thorough history and physical examination, specifically noting the onset, location, duration, and character of abdominal pain, presence of guarding, rebound tenderness, or rigidity.Detailed documentation of diagnostic tests, such as laboratory results (complete blood count, electrolytes, inflammatory markers), imaging studies (abdominal x-ray, CT scan), and the results of any surgical intervention, is essential for accurate coding.
** R10.0 is a symptom code used to report acute abdominal pain.It is essential to accurately code the underlying cause of the acute abdomen using additional ICD-10 codes. The severity and characteristics of the pain should be fully documented in the medical record.
- Revenue Code: Revenue codes will vary based on the specific services rendered. Consult your facility's revenue code guidelines.
- RVU: RVUs are not directly assigned to ICD-10 codes.Reimbursement depends on the procedures and services provided to treat the condition, which are coded using CPT or HCPCS codes.
- Global Days: Not applicable to ICD-10 codes.Global periods are associated with surgical CPT codes.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable to ICD-10 codes.
- Fee Schedule: Not applicable to ICD-10 codes. Fee schedules are associated with CPT and HCPCS codes.
- Specialties:Emergency Medicine, General Surgery, Gastroenterology
- Place of Service:Emergency Room - Hospital, Inpatient Hospital, Office, Urgent Care Facility