review] What diagnoses are included in code category N18, chronic kidney disease?

The ICD-10-CM code category N18 is designated for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). This category includes specific codes that delineate the stage of the disease based on severity. Correctly included are codes for CKD Stage 3 (N18.3), severe CKD which corresponds to Stage 4 (N18.4), and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), coded as N18.6. The other options incorrectly mix diagnoses from different categories, procedural status codes, or non-diagnostic terms with the N18 category.

A. Polycystic kidney disease is a congenital condition coded in category Q61, and dialysis is a status code (Z99.2), not a diagnosis within N18.

B. GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) is a laboratory measurement, not a diagnosis, and ATN (Acute Tubular Necrosis, N17.0) is an acute condition.

C. AKI (Acute Kidney Injury, N17) is an acute condition, and dialysis status (Z99.2) is not a diagnosis in the N18 category.

1. National Center for Health Statistics. (2023). ICD-10-CM Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. See codes N18.3, N18.4, N18.6.

2. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2023). ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting FY 2024. Section I.C.14.a.1. "Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is classified to category N18."