What is the first coding priority when an admission is related to anemia caused by a neoplasm?

In cases where an admission is related to anemia caused by a neoplasm, the appropriate coding priority is to sequence the code for anemia first. This is due to the guidelines that indicate when a patient is admitted primarily for the treatment of a condition such as anemia, it should be the first code listed, reflecting the primary reason for the hospitalization.

When anemia is due to a neoplasm, you would typically code the anemia itself first to document the reason for the admission and then follow with the code for the underlying cause, which is the neoplasm. This prioritization ensures that the records accurately capture the patient's condition and the rationale behind the care provided.

The focus on anemia as the first listed diagnosis aligns with the coding practices that prioritize the presenting condition over underlying causes in situations where the patient is being treated specifically for the symptomatic condition.