Right upper quadrant pain

This code signifies pain localized to the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. This region typically encompasses organs such as the liver, gallbladder, duodenum, head of the pancreas, right kidney, and hepatic flexure of the colon. It is a symptom, not a definitive diagnosis, indicating an underlying issue in one of these structures.

Assign this code when the patient presents with or reports pain specifically in the right upper quadrant, and a more definitive diagnosis has not yet been established or is not available at the time of coding. Documentation should clearly specify the location of the abdominal pain as "right upper quadrant" or "RUQ."

• Do not use this code if a more specific diagnosis for the RUQ pain is known and documented (e.g., cholecystitis, hepatitis).
• Consider sequencing this code as a primary diagnosis when the RUQ pain is the chief complaint and the reason for the encounter, and further workup is planned.
• Distinguish from generalized abdominal pain (R10.84) or pain in other specific abdominal quadrants.