Nausea

This code represents the subjective sensation of an urge to vomit, often accompanied by autonomic symptoms such as pallor, sweating, and salivation. It is a non-specific symptom that can be associated with a wide range of underlying medical conditions.

Use this code when nausea is documented as a primary symptom or a significant complaint without further specification of vomiting. It is appropriate when the patient reports feeling sick to their stomach, queasy, or nauseated, and this is the most definitive diagnosis available.

• Do not use this code if vomiting is also documented; instead, use codes that specify nausea with vomiting (e.g., R11.2).
• Always seek to code the underlying cause of nausea if known and documented (e.g., adverse effect of medication, gastritis, pregnancy).
• This code is often used as a secondary diagnosis when nausea is a symptom of another primary condition.