Hi all, I'm trying to come up with the appropriate diagnosis code for "staring." This is a five-year-old patient, symptoms described by her grandmother:
"Pt may stop mid-sentence and 'stare off.' May last for 30 sec or sometimes > 1 minute. During episode they cannot seem to get her attention, sometimes may mumble incomprehensible. When she 'comes out of it' she may pick up mid-sentence where she left off."
Patient has a history of abuse and head trauma, as well as exposure to cannabis and potentially other drugs, but the provider wasn't able to make any definitive links at the time, so I'm definitely coding the symptom itself. I'm leaning toward R41.89, "other symptoms and signs involving cognitive functions and awareness," but I'm hoping for a second opinion.
Thank you!
"Pt may stop mid-sentence and 'stare off.' May last for 30 sec or sometimes > 1 minute. During episode they cannot seem to get her attention, sometimes may mumble incomprehensible. When she 'comes out of it' she may pick up mid-sentence where she left off."
Patient has a history of abuse and head trauma, as well as exposure to cannabis and potentially other drugs, but the provider wasn't able to make any definitive links at the time, so I'm definitely coding the symptom itself. I'm leaning toward R41.89, "other symptoms and signs involving cognitive functions and awareness," but I'm hoping for a second opinion.
Thank you!