Career upgrade: Learn practical AI skills for better jobs and higher pay.
Level up
PracticeVideosBlogFlashcardsEspañol
All Practice Exams

100+ Free CDIP Practice Questions

Pass your AHIMA Certified Documentation Improvement Practitioner (CDIP) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately
63% Pass Rate
100+ Questions
100% Free
1 / 100
Question 1
Score: 0/0

What is an ICD-10-CM combination code?

A
B
C
D
to track
Same family resources

Explore More AHIMA Certifications

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

AHIMA CCA Certified Coding Associate

Practice QuestionsStudy GuideFlashcards
1 video4 blogs

AHIMA RHIA Registered Health Information Administrator

Practice QuestionsStudy Guide
1 video2 blogs

AHIMA RHIT Registered Health Information Technician

Practice QuestionsStudy Guide
1 video2 blogs

AHIMA CCS-P Certified Coding Specialist Physician-based

Practice Questions
1 blog

AHIMA CCS Certified Coding Specialist

Practice Questions

AHIMA Certified Health Data Analyst

Practice Questions

More From This Family

Videos and articles for deeper review.

VideoAHIMA RHIT Exam Guide 2026: Pass the HIT Exam (FREE)ArticleAHIMA CDIP Exam Guide 2026: Documentation Integrity Prep10 min readArticleAAPC CPB Exam Guide 2026: Pass Certified Pro Biller (FREE)28 min readArticleAHIMA CCA Exam Guide 2026: Pass Entry-Level Coding (FREE)26 min readArticleAHIMA RHIA Exam Guide 2026: Pass HIM Administrator (FREE)28 min read
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CDIP Exam

150

Exam Questions

AHIMA CDIP exam page

3.5 hrs

Exam Time

AHIMA CDIP exam page

300

Minimum Passing Score

AHIMA examination procedures

$299-$399

Exam Fee

AHIMA (member/non-member)

~63%

Pass Rate

AHIMA data

30-35%

CDI Domain Weight

CDIP content outline

The AHIMA CDIP examination tests CDI practitioners on clinical documentation improvement (clinical indicators, specificity, review processes), DRG/coding knowledge (MS-DRG system, CC/MCC classification, ICD-10-CM), query writing (compliant queries, physician communication), compliance and integrity (clinical validation, audit programs), and quality measures (severity/ROM, CMS programs, CDI metrics). The exam has 150 questions (130 scored) in 3.5 hours.

Sample CDIP Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CDIP exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the primary goal of a Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) program?
A.To increase the number of codes on each claim
B.To ensure clinical documentation accurately reflects the severity of illness, risk of mortality, and resource utilization of patient care
C.To reduce the number of physician queries
D.To eliminate all coding denials
Explanation: The primary goal of CDI is to ensure that the clinical documentation in the medical record accurately and completely reflects the severity of illness, risk of mortality, and resource utilization for each patient encounter. Accurate documentation supports appropriate reimbursement, quality reporting, risk adjustment, and continuity of care.
2What is the MS-DRG (Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Group) system?
A.A physician credentialing system
B.A patient classification system that groups inpatient stays by diagnosis, procedures, and severity for prospective payment under Medicare
C.A nursing staffing model
D.A quality reporting framework
Explanation: MS-DRGs classify inpatient hospital stays into groups based on principal diagnosis, procedures, age, sex, discharge status, and the presence of complications or comorbidities (CC) or major complications or comorbidities (MCC). Each DRG has a relative weight determining Medicare payment. CDI specialists focus on ensuring documentation supports the most accurate DRG assignment.
3What is a physician query in the context of CDI?
A.A billing complaint filed by a physician
B.A communication to a physician requesting clarification, specificity, or additional documentation about a clinical condition or finding
C.A question on a medical licensing exam
D.A search query in the medical database
Explanation: A physician query is a written or verbal communication from a CDI specialist or coder to a physician requesting clarification, additional specificity, or documentation of a clinical condition supported by clinical indicators in the record. Queries must be non-leading, clinically relevant, and compliant with AHIMA and ACDIS guidelines to maintain documentation integrity.
4Which of the following is a CC (Complication or Comorbidity) under the MS-DRG system?
A.Essential hypertension
B.Acute renal failure
C.Type 2 diabetes without complications
D.Seasonal allergies
Explanation: Acute renal failure is classified as a CC (Complication or Comorbidity) under the MS-DRG system. CCs are conditions that, when present as secondary diagnoses, increase the severity of a patient's hospital stay and resource consumption. Essential hypertension and uncomplicated type 2 diabetes are typically non-CC conditions. Some conditions qualify as MCCs (major CCs) which have an even greater impact.
5What are the characteristics of a compliant physician query?
A.It should suggest the specific diagnosis the CDI specialist believes is present
B.It must be non-leading, based on clinical indicators, and provide multiple response options including the ability to document an alternative diagnosis
C.It should only be submitted after the patient is discharged
D.It must be submitted verbally with no written documentation
Explanation: A compliant query must be non-leading (not suggesting a specific diagnosis), supported by clinical indicators in the record, and provide the physician with multiple clinically valid response options including the ability to document a different diagnosis. Queries should be timely, relevant, and documented in the medical record. Leading queries that suggest specific diagnoses to maximize reimbursement are non-compliant.
6What is the difference between severity of illness (SOI) and risk of mortality (ROM) in clinical documentation?
A.They are the same measure
B.SOI reflects the extent of physiologic decompensation or organ system loss of function, while ROM reflects the likelihood of dying
C.SOI is a coding concept while ROM is a clinical concept
D.SOI applies only to surgical patients while ROM applies to all patients
Explanation: Severity of illness (SOI) measures the extent of physiologic decompensation or organ system loss of function, reflecting how sick the patient is. Risk of mortality (ROM) measures the likelihood of dying during the hospital stay. Both are assigned subclass levels (1-4: minor, moderate, major, extreme) in the APR-DRG system. CDI ensures documentation captures clinical indicators that accurately reflect both SOI and ROM.
7What is the principal diagnosis in an inpatient setting?
A.The most severe diagnosis
B.The condition established after study to be chiefly responsible for occasioning the admission of the patient to the hospital
C.The first diagnosis documented by the emergency physician
D.The diagnosis with the highest reimbursement
Explanation: According to ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, the principal diagnosis is the condition established after study to be chiefly responsible for occasioning the admission of the patient to the hospital. It may differ from the admitting diagnosis. CDI specialists review documentation to ensure the principal diagnosis accurately reflects the reason for admission and that it is properly sequenced for DRG assignment.
8Which clinical indicator would support a query for sepsis documentation?
A.Normal vital signs and lab values
B.SIRS criteria (temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, WBC) plus suspected or documented infection with organ dysfunction
C.Mild cough without fever
D.Stable blood pressure with normal labs
Explanation: Sepsis documentation queries are supported by clinical indicators including SIRS criteria (temperature >38.3 or <36, HR >90, RR >20, WBC >12,000 or <4,000) with suspected or documented infection and evidence of organ dysfunction (altered mental status, hypotension, elevated lactate, acute kidney injury, coagulopathy). Current Sepsis-3 criteria focus on infection with organ dysfunction measured by SOFA score.
9What is the impact of an MCC (Major Complication or Comorbidity) on DRG assignment?
A.MCCs have no impact on DRG assignment
B.MCCs typically shift the patient to a higher-weighted DRG, reflecting greater severity and resource consumption
C.MCCs always result in a lower DRG weight
D.MCCs only affect outpatient claims
Explanation: MCCs (Major Complications or Comorbidities) are conditions associated with the highest resource consumption and severity. When documented and coded as secondary diagnoses, MCCs typically shift the DRG assignment to a higher-weighted tier (e.g., from a base DRG to a DRG with MCC), resulting in higher payment reflecting the actual resource consumption. Examples include sepsis, respiratory failure, and acute organ failure.
10What is the difference between a concurrent and retrospective CDI review?
A.There is no difference
B.Concurrent review occurs while the patient is still admitted, allowing real-time queries; retrospective review occurs after discharge for coding accuracy
C.Concurrent review is performed by coders while retrospective is performed by CDI specialists
D.Concurrent review is mandatory while retrospective is optional
Explanation: Concurrent CDI review occurs while the patient is still hospitalized, allowing CDI specialists to review clinical indicators in real-time and query physicians for clarification or additional documentation before discharge. Retrospective review occurs after discharge and is primarily for coding accuracy, query reconciliation, and educational purposes. Concurrent review has greater impact because documentation can be improved during the encounter.

About the CDIP Exam

The AHIMA CDIP exam certifies clinical documentation improvement practitioners in CDI, DRG/MS-DRG, query writing, physician communication, coding compliance, and quality measures. Passing earns the CDIP credential.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours 30 minutes

Passing Score

300 (scaled, 100-400)

Exam Fee

$299-$399 (AHIMA / Pearson VUE)

CDIP Exam Content Outline

30-35%

Clinical Documentation Improvement

CDI fundamentals, clinical indicators, documentation specificity, review processes, and high-impact conditions

25-30%

DRG and Coding Knowledge

MS-DRG system, CC/MCC classification, ICD-10-CM conventions, case mix index, and payment systems

15-20%

Query Writing and Communication

Compliant queries, physician communication, query types, escalation, and CDI metrics

15-20%

Compliance and Integrity

Clinical validation, coding guidelines, regulatory compliance, audit programs, and documentation integrity

10-15%

Quality Measures

SOI/ROM, CMS programs (VBP, HRRP, HAC), mortality indices, and CDI program evaluation

How to Pass the CDIP Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 300 (scaled, 100-400)
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 3 hours 30 minutes
  • Exam fee: $299-$399

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CDIP Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus heavily on clinical documentation improvement and DRG coding — together they represent over 60% of the exam
2Master clinical indicators for high-impact conditions: sepsis, respiratory failure, malnutrition, encephalopathy, AKI
3Study compliant query construction following AHIMA/ACDIS guidelines — know leading vs. non-leading queries
4Understand the MS-DRG system: CC vs. MCC impact, DRG families, relative weights, and CC exclusion lists
5Review CMS quality programs (VBP, HRRP, HAC) and how CDI impacts mortality indices and risk adjustment
6Practice identifying documentation specificity gaps in clinical scenarios

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the CDIP exam?

The CDIP exam contains 150 multiple-choice questions (130 scored, 20 pretest) with a 3 hour 30 minute time limit.

What score do I need to pass the CDIP exam?

The CDIP exam uses a 100-400 scaled score, and 300 is the minimum passing score.

What is the CDIP exam fee?

The CDIP exam fee is $299 for AHIMA members and $399 for non-members.

What topics are covered on the CDIP exam?

The CDIP exam covers CDI fundamentals (clinical indicators, documentation specificity), DRG/coding (MS-DRG, CC/MCC), query writing (compliant queries, physician communication), compliance (clinical validation, audit programs), and quality measures (SOI/ROM, CMS programs).

How should I prepare for the CDIP exam?

Focus on clinical indicators for high-impact conditions (sepsis, respiratory failure, malnutrition), master the MS-DRG and CC/MCC system, study compliant query writing guidelines, review ICD-10-CM conventions, and understand CMS quality programs (VBP, HRRP).

What career does CDIP certification lead to?

The CDIP credential qualifies you for roles as a CDI specialist, CDI manager, clinical documentation specialist, revenue integrity analyst, or coding compliance specialist in hospitals and health systems.