R10.31 ICD-10 Right Lower Quadrant Pain Meaning

User question

What does R10.31 diagnosis code mean?

Artificial Intelligence Response

Direct answer to the question

R10.31 is an ICD-10-CM diagnosis code meaning “Right lower quadrant pain” — pain in the lower right area of the abdomen. It is used for medical billing/documentation when a clinician records right-lower-abdominal pain, often before a specific cause is confirmed. (aapc.com)

Detailed problem analysis

• “R” codes in ICD-10-CM generally fall under symptoms, signs, and abnormal findings rather than confirmed diseases.
• R10 refers to abdominal and pelvic pain.
• R10.31 specifically means right lower quadrant pain. AAPC lists the official long descriptor as “Right lower quadrant pain.” (aapc.com)
• It is a symptom code, not a final explanation of why the pain is present. Possible causes of right lower abdominal pain can range from minor gastrointestinal issues to conditions requiring urgent care, such as appendicitis, kidney/urinary problems, ovarian/testicular conditions, or bowel inflammation. The code itself does not diagnose any of those causes.

Practical guidance

If you saw R10.31 on a bill, visit summary, imaging order, or insurance document, it usually means the provider documented pain in the lower right abdomen as the reason for the encounter or test.

If you are currently having abdominal pain, seek medical care promptly if it is severe, worsening, associated with fever, persistent vomiting, blood in stool/vomit, fainting, pregnancy, or does not improve; MedlinePlus notes that abdominal pain becoming more severe/frequent with nausea/vomiting or pain with fever warrants medical attention. (medlineplus.gov)

Brief summary

R10.31 = Right lower quadrant abdominal pain. It is a medical coding label for the location/symptom, not a diagnosis of the underlying cause.

Disclaimer: The responses provided by artificial intelligence (language model) may be inaccurate and misleading. Elektroda is not responsible for the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the presented information. All responses should be verified by the user.