American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

Administration of aspirin no later than how many hours after a stroke is considered a quality-of-care metric?

1. 24 hours

2. 36 hours

3. 48 hours

4. 72 hours

The correct answer is: 48 hours

Administering aspirin as soon as possible after a stroke is critical for the management of patients who are at risk for further cardiovascular events. The established quality-of-care metric recommends that aspirin be given no later than 48 hours post-stroke onset. This timeframe is based on evidence that early administration of aspirin can help reduce the risk of recurrent stroke and improve patient outcomes. The recommendation underscores the importance of timely intervention in the treatment of stroke. While treatment protocols must consider the individual patient's condition, clinical guidelines emphasize that timely antiplatelet therapy, such as with aspirin, should be initiated within this specific window to achieve optimal results. Thus, the 48-hour mark reflects the intersection of clinical efficacy and the need for patient safety in stroke care.