When a patient is admitted for the purpose of chemotherapy and develops nausea and vomiting, the principal diagnosis is nausea and vomiting.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The principal diagnosis should be the condition for which the patient is being treated, which in this case is the cancer requiring chemotherapy. Nausea and vomiting should be listed as a secondary diagnosis or a complication of the chemotherapy.

When a Patient Is Admitted for the Purpose of Chemotherapy