Abrasion of left upper arm, initial encounter

This code signifies a superficial injury to the left upper arm where the skin has been scraped or rubbed away, but the full thickness of the skin is not lost. It typically involves the epidermis and possibly the superficial dermis, resulting in minor bleeding or oozing.

Apply this code when documenting an abrasion on the patient's left upper arm as the primary reason for the encounter. This is appropriate for initial treatment of the injury, such as cleaning, dressing, or assessment.

• Ensure the documentation clearly specifies the left upper arm as the injury site.
• Confirm the injury is an abrasion and not a laceration, puncture, or avulsion.
• The "A" suffix indicates an initial encounter for active treatment of the injury.