AAPC A/P Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC) Practice Exam 2026 - Free CIC Practice Questions and Study Guide

A colostomy is a surgical procedure that involves creating an opening in the abdominal wall, allowing for the rerouting of the colon to this new opening for the expulsion of feces. This procedure is often performed when a part of the colon is diseased or needs to be removed, and it can be temporary or permanent, depending on the underlying condition being treated.

The other procedures listed do not relate to feces expulsion. A gastrectomy involves the surgical removal of part or all of the stomach, a cystectomy pertains to the removal of the bladder, and a pancreatectomy involves the removal of part or all of the pancreas. None of these procedures create an opening for the expulsion of feces, making colostomy the correct choice for the question.