A patient admitted three weeks after a normal vaginal delivery with a postpartum breast abscess should be reported with which ICD-10 code?

In this scenario, selecting the right ICD-10 code to report a postpartum breast abscess is crucial, particularly considering the timing and context of the condition. The correct code, O91.12, specifically refers to a postpartum breast abscess occurring within the specified period after delivery, which in this case is aligned with the patient's situation of being admitted three weeks post-normal vaginal delivery.

The O91 codes are dedicated to complications arising from breast feedings and complications in the postpartum period, with each digit providing specific information about the timing and type of condition. The first digit ‘O’ designates it as a pregnancy-related complication, while the subsequent numbers further clarify the nature of the issue.

O91.12 indicates a breast abscess that occurs within 2 to 28 days of delivery, capturing the time frame of the patient's condition accurately. In contrast, other codes such as O91.11 would apply to a condition that arises within 10 days or less post-delivery, making it inappropriate for a patient who is three weeks postpartum. O91.13 addresses a breast abscess that appears after 28 days, and O92.13 pertains to a lactation-related issue rather than specifically to an abscess, thus not fitting the clinical