R79.81 Abnormal blood-gas level

Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026.

Applies from R79 Other abnormal findings of blood chemistry

Excludes1 (never code together)

• asymptomatic hyperuricemia (E79.0)
• hyperglycemia NOS (R73.9)
• hypoglycemia NOS (E16.2)
• neonatal hypoglycemia (P70.3-P70.4)
• specific findings indicating disorder of amino-acid metabolism (E70-E72)
• specific findings indicating disorder of carbohydrate metabolism (E73-E74)
• specific findings indicating disorder of lipid metabolism (E75.-)

Use additional code

• code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)

MS-DRG index

Defines the logic of DRG(s) 947-948 in MDC 23.

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• 790.91 Abnormal arterial blood gases (approximate)

Diagnosis Index entries for R79.81

• Abnormal, abnormality, abnormalities › blood-gas level
• Abnormal, abnormality, abnormalities › chemistry, blood › gas level

Nearby codes

• R79 Other abnormal findings of blood chemistry
• R79.0 Abnormal level of blood mineral
• R79.1 Abnormal coagulation profile
• R79.8 Other specified abnormal findings of blood chemistry
• R79.81 Abnormal blood-gas level (this code)
• R79.82 Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP)
• R79.83 Abnormal findings of blood amino-acid level
• R79.89 Other specified abnormal findings of blood chemistry
• R79.9 Abnormal finding of blood chemistry, unspecified