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 metric is most directly used to evaluate the effectiveness of a Get With The Guidelines-Stroke program? → Door-to-needle time under 60 minutes
2. Which element is required in a stroke center's written transfer agreement to meet certification standards? → Defined transfer criteria and receiving facility capabilities
3. Aspirin therapy after acute ischemic stroke treated with IV tPA should be initiated at what time point? → At 24 hours post-tPA after repeat CT shows no hemorrhage
4. What is the benefit of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team? → Provides holistic and coordinated care.
5. A 68-year-old post-stroke patient develops central post-stroke pain. Which medication class has the best evidence for this condition? → Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline)
6. Robot-assisted therapy for post-stroke upper extremity rehabilitation is most beneficial for patients who are: → In the subacute phase with moderate to severe arm impairment
7. A family is anxious about managing a stroke patient who now uses a wheelchair at home. Which education topic should the coordinator prioritize first? → Home safety assessment, fall prevention, and pressure injury prevention
8. Which teach-back technique is most effective when educating a stroke patient with aphasia about medication adherence? → Ask the patient to demonstrate pill sorting or point to correct answers
9. Post-stroke depression is most accurately screened using which tool in the stroke population? → Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
10. What is the benefit of community education in stroke prevention? → Promotes early detection and healthy behaviors.
11. During neurological monitoring, a patient develops a Cushing's triad. The correct sequence of components is: → Hypertension, bradycardia, irregular respirations
12. What is a common emotional challenge during stroke recovery? → Depression.
13. Why is caregiver support important during stroke recovery? → They reinforce therapy goals and provide emotional support.
14. Which element of TeamSTEPPS is specifically designed to ensure team members maintain situational awareness and can speak up about safety concerns? → Two-challenge rule
15. In the PDSA cycle used for stroke QI, what does the 'Study' phase primarily involve? → Analyzing data to determine if the change produced improvement
16. Which organization administers the Primary Stroke Center certification program in the United States? → The Joint Commission (TJC)
17. A right-handed patient presents with inability to name objects but intact repetition and comprehension. This pattern best localizes to: → Anomic aphasia, often with angular gyrus involvement
18. Which legal document should the stroke coordinator recommend a stroke survivor with decision-making capacity complete to protect their future healthcare wishes? → Advance directive (living will and healthcare proxy)
19. Which factor most commonly contributes to medication non-adherence in community-dwelling stroke survivors? → Cognitive impairment affecting memory and executive function
20. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) for upper extremity stroke recovery works primarily by: → Forcing use of the paretic limb by restraining the unaffected limb
21. Which imaging modality is MOST useful for identifying the ischemic penumbra (salvageable brain tissue) in late-presenting stroke patients? → CT perfusion or MRI perfusion-diffusion mismatch
22. Which antidepressant class is PREFERRED for post-stroke depression due to its favorable safety profile and evidence base? → Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
23. A 55-year-old patient with no prior cardiovascular disease is found to have a 10-year cardiovascular risk of 9%. Aspirin for primary prevention is: → Not recommended due to net harm from bleeding risk
24. 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
25. 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
26. 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
27. Which of the following is the CORRECT grading for complete absence of perfusion on angiography using the TICI scale? → TICI 0
28. Which educational content is most appropriate for a family member who will manage a stroke survivor with dysphagia at home? → Food and liquid texture modification, safe feeding positions, and signs of aspiration
29. Which outcome measure is best suited to evaluate participation in social roles following stroke at a community level? → Reintegration to Normal Living (RNL) Index
30. Which CMS quality measure requires documentation that stroke patients were assessed for rehabilitation needs before discharge? → STK-10: Assessed for Rehabilitation