AGACNP certification cheat sheet
Time targets: ACS, stroke and sepsis
The minute counts that acute care exams reward you for knowing.
Reviewed by a licensed nurse · 22 October 2026
Acute coronary syndrome
| Step | Target |
|---|---|
| ECG after arrival | Within 10 minutes |
| Primary PCI (STEMI), door to device | 90 minutes or less |
| Fibrinolysis (STEMI), door to needle | 30 minutes or less |
Sepsis
| Step | Target |
|---|---|
| Antibiotics in septic shock or high likelihood | Within 1 hour |
| Crystalloid (suggested) | 30 mL/kg in 3 hours |
| MAP | 65 mmHg or higher |
Acute ischemic stroke
| Step | Target |
|---|---|
| Brain imaging after arrival | As fast as possible, ideally within 20 to 25 minutes |
| Thrombolysis, door to needle | Within 60 minutes (faster is better) |
| Thrombolysis window | Up to 4.5 hours from last known well, if eligible |
Educational content for exam preparation. It is not clinical guidance and does not replace your facility's policies, current professional guidelines or the advice of a qualified clinician.
boardreadynurse.com · ACC/AHA guidelines · Surviving Sepsis Campaign