ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

Comprehensive ICD-10-CM code reference with AI-powered search capabilities.

© 2025 ICD Code Compass. All rights reserved.

Browse

  • All Chapters
  • All Categories
  • Diagnoses

Tools

  • AI Code Search
ICD-10-CM codes are maintained by the CDC and CMS. This tool is for reference purposes only.
v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesAcute Kidney Injury Unspecified

Acute Kidney Injury Unspecified

ICD-10 Coding for Acute Kidney Injury Unspecified(N17.9)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYNephrology
COMPLEXITYHigh
LAST UPDATED09/15/2025
Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Acute Kidney Injury Unspecified?
Essential facts and insights about Acute Kidney Injury Unspecified

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Acute rise in serum creatinine levels (≥0.3 mg/dL within 48 hours or ≥1.5 times baseline within the prior 7 days)
  • Oliguria (urine output <0.5 mL/kg/h for more than 6 hours)
  • Signs of fluid overload (e.g., edema, hypertension)
  • Electrolyte imbalances (e.g., hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis)
  • Potentially reversible causes identified (e.g., dehydration, nephrotoxic agents)

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Clear documentation of acute changes in renal function and associated symptoms
  • Use of specific terms such as 'acute kidney injury' or 'AKI' in the medical record
  • Examples include: 'Patient presents with acute kidney injury secondary to dehydration' or 'Serum creatinine elevated to 2.5 mg/dL'
  • Documentation of medical necessity for tests and treatments related to AKI
  • Quality measures may include tracking urine output and serum creatinine levels

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Use N17.9 when the cause of acute kidney injury is not specified or when it is unspecified in the documentation
  • Do NOT use this code if a more specific cause of acute kidney injury is documented (e.g., N17.0 for acute tubular necrosis)
  • Comparison with N17.0 (Acute tubular necrosis) and N17.1 (Acute cortical necrosis) for specific conditions
  • Common errors include using N17.9 when a specific cause is documented; ensure to review the entire medical record
  • In complex cases, consider the underlying cause and any additional diagnoses that may affect coding

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Chronic kidney disease (N18) and end-stage renal disease (N18.6) are excluded as they represent different conditions
  • Use N17.0 or N17.1 for specific types of acute kidney injury instead of N17.9
  • Conditions are excluded to ensure accurate representation of the patient's renal status
  • Common mistakes include misclassifying chronic conditions as acute; verify patient history
  • Related but distinct conditions include acute renal failure due to obstruction (N17.2)

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
N17.9
Acute kidney injury, unspecified
N17.0
Acute tubular necrosis
Ancillary Codes
E86.0
Differential Codes
N17.0

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Nephrology

Specialty Applications

  • Patients with acute illness, dehydration, or exposure to nephrotoxins
  • All age groups, with increased risk in elderly and those with pre-existing kidney disease
  • Clinical settings include inpatient hospital admissions, emergency departments, and outpatient follow-ups
  • Nephrology specialty applications for management and treatment of AKI
  • Treatment contexts may involve dialysis initiation or fluid management strategies

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

  • Comprehensive clinical documentation
  • Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
  • Proper exclusion considerations
  • Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Template 1

Template: 'Patient diagnosed with acute kidney injury based on elevated serum creatinine levels.'

Template 2

Template: 'Clinical presentation consistent with acute kidney injury including oliguria and fluid overload.'

Template 3

Template: 'Diagnostic criteria for acute kidney injury met as evidenced by serum creatinine increase.'

Template 4

Template: 'Treatment plan initiated for acute kidney injury with fluid resuscitation and monitoring.'

Template 5

Template: 'Follow-up care for acute kidney injury including regular monitoring of renal function.'

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

  • Ensure proper documentation for billing
  • Verify code specificity requirements
  • Check for any additional codes needed
  • Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

  • Insufficient clinical documentation
  • Incorrect code selection
  • Missing supporting diagnoses
  • Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What documentation is required for this diagnosis?

Documentation must include acute changes in renal function, symptoms, and any relevant lab results.

How does this differ from similar diagnoses?

Acute kidney injury is characterized by a rapid decline in kidney function, while chronic kidney disease is a gradual loss.

What are common billing considerations?

Ensure that all services related to the diagnosis are medically necessary and well-documented to optimize claims.

What procedures are typically associated?

Commonly associated procedures include renal ultrasound, urine tests, and possibly dialysis.

Are there any quality reporting implications?

Quality measures may include monitoring serum creatinine levels and urine output as part of AKI management.