--- title: Choosing Reasonable Options for Response description: The key to choosing reasonable options for a query response is to remember that the query must stand alone. Any clinical indicators supporting the options must be included in the query itself. In this week's Query Tip, we provide examples of two queries in which the options for response are not reasonable based on... image: https://hiacode.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_1243619620-e1550847914252-1.jpg --- # Choosing Reasonable Options for Response ![HIAcode](https://hiacode.com/hubfs/Logos/HIA_RGB_PrimaryLogo_Icon%20(1)_Artboard%201.png) [HIAcode](https://hiacode.com/blog/author/hiacode) Feb 22, 2019 [Industry News](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/industry-news) [Query Tips](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/query-tips) ![Choosing Reasonable Options for Response](https://hiacode.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_1243619620-e1550847914252-1.jpg) - Share on: - [![](https://hiacode.com/hubfs/Facebook%20svg.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://hiacode.com/blog/education/query-tip-choosing-reasonable-options-for-response) - [![](https://hiacode.com/hs-fs/hubfs/twitter.png?width=32&height=32&name=twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://hiacode.com/blog/education/query-tip-choosing-reasonable-options-for-response) - [![](https://hiacode.com/hubfs/LinkedIn%20svg.svg)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://hiacode.com/blog/education/query-tip-choosing-reasonable-options-for-response) - [![](https://hiacode.com/hubfs/mdi_email.svg)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://hiacode.com/blog/education/query-tip-choosing-reasonable-options-for-response%20&body=Check%20out%20https://hiacode.com/blog/education/query-tip-choosing-reasonable-options-for-response&media=https://20824215.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/20824215/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_1243619620-e1550847914252-1.jpg) - ![](https://hiacode.com/hubfs/entypo_link.svg) copied *“Multiple choice query formats should include clinically significant and reasonable options as supported by clinical indicators in the health record…” * [Guidelines for Achieving a Compliant Query Practice (2019)](http://bok.ahima.org/doc?oid=302673#.XG6qnehKiUk) The key to choosing reasonable options for a query response is to remember that the query must stand alone. Any clinical indicators supporting the options must be included in the query itself. Below are examples of two queries in which the options for response are not reasonable based on clinical indicators used by coder. ## **Example #1 of Unreasonable Query Options:** | *SOB on admission with BNP 1100 and CXR showing CHF (H&P) *IV Lasix given x 2 days with improvement, continued home dose at discharge (DS) *Final diagnosis CHF exacerbation (DS)   **Can you clarify the type of CHF being treated?** *Systolic CHF exacerbation *Diastolic CHF exacerbation *Combined systolic and diastolic CHF exacerbation *Other type of CHF ____________ *Unable to determine | | --- | The type of CHF is based on evaluation of the right and left ventricular function. Tests that can show this include echocardiogram, MUGA scan, or cardiac catheterization. The measure of the left ventricle’s ability to pump (ejection fraction or EF) can be obtained from these tests. Therefore, a query for the specific type of CHF must include clinical indicators related to ventricular function, otherwise the options would not be reasonable. The coder could add the EF value, or any ventricular dysfunction as part of the clinical indicators. That would make these options for response reasonable and clinically supported. ## **Example #2 of Unreasonable Query Options:** | *SOB and tachycardia on admission with H&H 5.6/20.4 (H&P) *PRBC x 2 with improvement (DS)   **Can you specify the type of anemia being treated?** *Acute blood loss anemia *Chronic blood loss anemia *Other type of anemia *Unable to determine | | --- | A reasonable option must be supported by whatever the coder uses as clinical indicators. There is nothing in this query to show that the patient had a history of blood loss.  In fact, there is nothing in the clinical indicators to support any specific type of anemia. The coder should add documentation that refers to blood loss, either acute or chronic. If the coder feels the anemia may be related to something else, entries such as recent chemotherapy or malignancy, or use of iron supplementation may also be added. It is vital that any options for response are reasonable and clinically supported by documentation contained in the query itself. > ***The information contained in this query advice is valid at the time of posting. Viewers are encouraged to research subsequent official guidance in the areas associated with the topic as they can change rapidly.***   ##### [Previous](https://hiacode.com/blog/education/american-heart-month-2019) ### [American Heart Month 2019 | Health Information Associates](https://hiacode.com/blog/education/american-heart-month-2019) ##### [Next](https://hiacode.com/blog/education/find-your-routine-set-a-pattern-follow-it) ### [Find Your Routine: Set a Pattern, Follow it](https://hiacode.com/blog/education/find-your-routine-set-a-pattern-follow-it) Serach Blog Post ## Need to Earn CEUs? Our coding education platform, HIAlearn.com, offers courses related to this topic and many more. Subscribe today and access more than 230 courses accepted by AHIMA for CEUs, with a selection also accepted by AAPC. ![CTA Sidebar HIAlearn logo-1](https://hiacode.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CTA%20Sidebar%20HIAlearn%20logo-1.png?width=1080&height=189&name=CTA%20Sidebar%20HIAlearn%20logo-1.png) [![Learn More](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/20824215/f611164b-1c02-4b86-a2aa-6033633d4569.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/20824215/f611164b-1c02-4b86-a2aa-6033633d4569) #### Category - [Medical Coding Tips (370)](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/medical-coding-tips) - [Industry News (339)](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/industry-news) - [Company News (23)](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/company-news) - [Query Tips (23)](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/query-tips) - [Annual Code Updates (16)](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/annual-code-updates) - [CDI Tips (9)](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/cdi-tips) ### Subscribe to our Newsletter #### Recent Blogs Jul 01, 2026 [Industry News](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/industry-news) [Medical Coding Tips](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/medical-coding-tips) ### [ICD-10-CM Coding for Colonosco...](https://hiacode.com/blog/icd-10-cm-coding-for-colonoscopy-following-positive-cologuard-result) Jun 24, 2026 [Industry News](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/industry-news) [Medical Coding Tips](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/medical-coding-tips) ### [20,000 Inpatient Reviews Revea...](https://hiacode.com/blog/20k-inpatient-coding-reviews-principal-diagnosis-pcs-revenue-integrity) Jun 10, 2026 [Industry News](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/industry-news) [Medical Coding Tips](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/medical-coding-tips) ### [Big Changes Coming to CPT Codi...](https://hiacode.com/blog/big-changes-coming-to-cpt-coding-for-maternity-care) Jun 05, 2026 [Industry News](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/industry-news) [Medical Coding Tips](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/medical-coding-tips) ### [Why Being Proactive Matters in...](https://hiacode.com/blog/proactive-coding-quality-assurance) ## Related blogs from Industry News , Query Tips Jul 01, 2026 [Industry News](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/industry-news),  [Medical Coding Tips](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/medical-coding-tips) #### [ICD-10-CM Coding for Colonoscopy Following Positiv...](https://hiacode.com/blog/icd-10-cm-coding-for-colonoscopy-following-positive-cologuard-result) A colonoscopy prompted by a positive Cologuar... [ Read More](https://hiacode.com/blog/icd-10-cm-coding-for-colonoscopy-following-positive-cologuard-result) Jun 24, 2026 [Industry News](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/industry-news),  [Medical Coding Tips](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/medical-coding-tips) #### [20,000 Inpatient Reviews Reveal Coding Opportuniti...](https://hiacode.com/blog/20k-inpatient-coding-reviews-principal-diagnosis-pcs-revenue-integrity) A review of 20,805 inpatient encounters found... [ Read More](https://hiacode.com/blog/20k-inpatient-coding-reviews-principal-diagnosis-pcs-revenue-integrity) Jun 10, 2026 [Industry News](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/industry-news),  [Medical Coding Tips](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/medical-coding-tips) #### [Big Changes Coming to CPT Coding for Maternity Car...](https://hiacode.com/blog/big-changes-coming-to-cpt-coding-for-maternity-care) Beginning January 1, 2027, CPT will retire th... [ Read More](https://hiacode.com/blog/big-changes-coming-to-cpt-coding-for-maternity-care) Jun 05, 2026 [Industry News](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/industry-news),  [Medical Coding Tips](https://hiacode.com/blog/tag/medical-coding-tips) #### [Why Being Proactive Matters in Coding Quality Assu...](https://hiacode.com/blog/proactive-coding-quality-assurance) Taking a proactive approach to coding quality... [ Read More](https://hiacode.com/blog/proactive-coding-quality-assurance) ## Subscribe to our Newsletter Weekly medical coding tips and coding education delivered directly to your inbox. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "HIAcode", "url" : "https://hiacode.com/blog/author/hiacode" }, "dateModified" : "2026-05-12T12:44:32.902Z", "datePublished" : "2019-02-22T05:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Choosing Reasonable Options for Response", "image" : [ "https://hiacode.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_1243619620-e1550847914252-1.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://hiacode.com/blog/education/query-tip-choosing-reasonable-options-for-response", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://hiacode.com/hubfs/HIA_RGB_AlternativeLogo%20(1)%20(1).png" }, "name" : "Health Information Associates" } } ```