ASC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ASC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which element is required in a stroke center's written transfer agreement to meet certification standards? → Defined transfer criteria and receiving facility capabilities
2. What is the benefit of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team? → Provides holistic and coordinated care.
3. What is the benefit of community education in stroke prevention? → Promotes early detection and healthy behaviors.
4. What is a common emotional challenge during stroke recovery? → Depression.
5. Why is caregiver support important during stroke recovery? → They reinforce therapy goals and provide emotional support.
6. A stroke coordinator is reviewing GWTG-Stroke data and notices the center's DTN median is 68 minutes. What is the recommended target to meet AHA/ASA guidelines? → ≤60 minutes
7. In stroke data abstraction, 'last known well' (LKW) time is used primarily to determine eligibility for which intervention? → IV alteplase and endovascular thrombectomy time windows
8. Which of the following best describes a key competency required for interprofessional collaboration in ASC practice? → Strong analytical skills combined with effective communication and ethical judgment
9. Which CMS quality measure requires documentation that stroke patients were assessed for rehabilitation needs before discharge? → STK-10: Assessed for Rehabilitation
10. Which document serves as the primary roadmap for stroke center certification surveyor expectations during a TJC on-site review? → Disease-Specific Care Certification Manual
11. In the GWTG-Stroke registry, which discharge outcome measure is used to assess functional status at the time the patient leaves the hospital? → Modified Rankin Scale (mRS)
12. Under TJC stroke certification, which term describes the written description of how clinical care is delivered, including pathways and order sets? → Evidenced-based care protocol
13. What is the recommended time goal for door-to-needle with tPA? → 60 minutes.
14. What does a stroke program manager typically oversee? → Clinical processes, data tracking, and performance initiatives.
15. In the context of ASC certification, what is the most important consideration when implementing evidence-based stroke protocols? → Ensuring alignment with established standards, stakeholder needs, and best practices
16. Which pharmacologic agent is used to treat symptomatic cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage in stroke program patients? → Nimodipine
17. Which therapy is most effective for improving mobility post-stroke? → Physical therapy.
18. In the context of ASC certification, what is the most important consideration when implementing post-stroke complications management? → Ensuring alignment with established standards, stakeholder needs, and best practices
19. Which of the following best describes a key competency required for post-stroke complications management in ASC practice? → Strong analytical skills combined with effective communication and ethical judgment
20. A Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center (TSC) differs from a PSC primarily by requiring availability of which service? → Endovascular thrombectomy
21. A patient on warfarin with INR 3.5 presents with acute ischemic stroke within the tPA window. What is the correct action? → tPA is contraindicated; proceed with evaluation for mechanical thrombectomy if eligible
22. Which professional addresses speech and swallowing issues after stroke? → Speech-language pathologist.
23. In the context of ASC certification, what is the most important consideration when implementing patient & family education? → Ensuring alignment with established standards, stakeholder needs, and best practices
24. Which performance measure captures the proportion of ischemic stroke patients discharged on antithrombotic therapy and is tracked by GWTG-Stroke? → Antithrombotic therapy at discharge
25. Which federal program uses stroke process measures to calculate value-based incentive payments to hospitals? → Hospital Value-Based Purchasing (VBP)
26. Which antiplatelet agent is recommended for secondary stroke prevention in patients with non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke who cannot tolerate aspirin? → Clopidogrel
27. When performing chart abstraction for GWTG-Stroke, which patient population is EXCLUDED from IV alteplase eligibility measures? → Patients with NIHSS score of 0 at arrival who had transient symptoms
28. What is the goal of performance improvement initiatives? → Address gaps and improve care outcomes.
29. Which data registry do most US stroke-certified hospitals use to track core measure performance and benchmark against peers? → Get With The Guidelines–Stroke (GWTG-Stroke)
30. Which data metric is critical in stroke program monitoring? → Door-to-needle time.