What is the correct code for a patient who is in cardiac arrest?

The appropriate code for a patient experiencing cardiac arrest is I46.9, which specifically designates "Cardiac arrest, unspecified." This code is utilized when the exact type of cardiac arrest is not indicated, allowing for comprehensive documentation of a critical condition without further specification.

While I46.1 refers to "Cardiac arrest due to any cause," it is primarily used when the reason for the cardiac arrest is known and specified. In contrast, I50.0 pertains to "Congestive heart failure, unspecified," and I10 is associated with essential hypertension. These options are unrelated to the coding requirements for a patient in cardiac arrest, which necessitates the use of the code that best captures the state of arrest without additional qualifying information.