Mortality coding refers to coding which of the following?

• A. Autopsy results
• B. Death certificates
• C. Surgical specimens
• D. Lab tests

Answer: (B)

Mortality coding is the process of turning the cause of death documented on the death certificate into standardized codes (like ICD-10) used for official mortality statistics. The death certificate is the official source for mortality data, capturing the underlying cause of death and any contributing conditions, which are then coded for analysis and public health purposes. Autopsy findings can help determine the cause of death, but the coding itself relies on the information recorded on the death certificate. Surgical specimens and laboratory tests are important for diagnosis and treatment, but they aren’t the standard basis used for mortality coding.