Which code indicates the patient is unable to respond to questions?

• A. Code Y
• B. Code X
• C. Proxy Response
• D. Ethnic Designations

Answer: (B)

When documenting how a patient responds to questions, you use a response source code to show who provided the information. If the patient themselves cannot give answers, the code that specifically indicates the patient is unable to respond is Code X. This clearly marks the patient’s inability to participate in the Q&A, separating their status from who answered or from demographic data.

Proxy Response is when someone else provides the answers on behalf of the patient, which is a different situation: the information is coming from a proxy, not the patient. Ethnic Designations relate to demographic information and do not describe the patient’s ability to respond. So the code that best signals the patient cannot respond is Code X.