American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

What is the term for an infestation with lice?

1. Subcutaneous

2. Jaundice

3. Melanin

4. Pediculosis

The correct answer is: Pediculosis

Pediculosis is the correct term used to describe an infestation with lice. Lice are small parasitic insects that can infest various parts of the body, including the scalp, body, and pubic area, leading to conditions often referred to in medical terminology as pediculosis capitis, pediculosis corporis, and pediculosis pubis, respectively. The other terms do not relate to lice infestations. Subcutaneous refers to something situated or occurring beneath the skin, which does not describe a lice infestation. Jaundice is a medical condition characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes due to elevated bilirubin levels, which is unrelated to lice. Melanin is a pigment found in the skin, hair, and eyes that is responsible for coloration but has no connection to lice infestations either. Thus, pediculosis distinctly pertains to the presence of lice.