Under which circumstance would you use V codes in ICD-10-CM?

Using V codes in ICD-10-CM is appropriate in the absence of a specific injury or illness when coding for situations that are not primarily related to a diagnosis. V codes are designed to provide additional information about the patient's encounter, such as those indicating reasons for visits (routine check-ups or follow-up visits), circumstances that might complicate a patient's care, or encounters for factors influencing health status.

In the absence of injury, which aligns with the use of V codes, it is possible to document circumstances like preventive healthcare, screenings, or encounters for factors that may affect health outcomes but are not classified as pathological conditions. Therefore, the application of V codes in this context is essential for capturing the reason for the patient visit accurately and providing a comprehensive picture of the healthcare encounter.

Other options do not align as clearly with the intended use of V codes. For instance, using them specifically for injuries or unclear diagnoses may not reflect the primary purpose of V codes, which is to illustrate health factors or reasons for encounters rather than detailing specific conditions or symptoms.