In ICD-9-CM, a code beginning with the letter 'E' means?

• A. There is no specific code in the classification system
• B. External causes of injury
• C. Type of examination
• D. Echovirus

Answer: (B)

In ICD-9-CM, codes that begin with the letter E are used for external causes of injury, poisoning, and other adverse events. These codes don’t describe the disease or injury itself; they show how the event occurred—the mechanism or method (such as a fall, a burn, or a poison exposure), the intent (accidental, intentional, or undetermined), and sometimes the place or activity at the time. They’re paired with the main diagnosis code to provide epidemiologic information and support public health tracking.

That’s why identifying external causes is the best fit here: this coding system segment is specifically dedicated to external causes. The other options don’t match this purpose—there are indeed specific codes for external causes, not for “type of examination,” and echovirus is coded by disease/virus designations rather than as an external cause.