Toxic effect of cobra venom, assault, initial encounter

This code signifies a harmful physiological reaction resulting from exposure to cobra venom, specifically when the exposure was intentionally inflicted by another person. The "initial encounter" designation indicates that the patient is receiving active treatment for the acute effects of the poisoning.

Apply this code when a patient presents with symptoms of cobra envenomation, such as neurotoxicity, tissue necrosis, or coagulopathy, and medical documentation clearly states the bite was the result of an assault. This would be used for the initial hospital visit or emergency department encounter for treatment.

• Always confirm the intent (assault) and the specific venom (cobra) from the medical record.
• Remember to also code any associated injuries or symptoms resulting from the envenomation.
• An external cause code (e.g., X20.0XXA) should be used in conjunction with this code to provide more detail about the circumstances of the assault.