Ultimate 2025/2026 iHuman Case
Study: Chronic Mechanical Low Back
Pain (54-Year-Old Male, Week 9) -
The Definitive Guide to Passing Your
Exam on Your First Attempt and
Avoiding Resits
,## iHuman Case Study: 54-Year-Old Male with Chronic Mechanical Low Back Pain (Week 9)
### Case Overview
| Feature | Details |
| :--- | :--- |
| **Patient Name** | John Smith / James M. Thompson / Thomas Bennett (varies by version) |
| **Age** | 54 years |
| **Gender** | Male |
| **Height/Weight** | 5'10" (178 cm) / 155-165 lbs (70-75 kg) |
| **BMI** | 22.3 (Normal range) |
| **Occupation** | Warehouse supervisor / Accountant (sedentary work) |
| **Setting** | Outpatient clinic with X-ray, ECG, and laboratory capabilities |
| **Course** | NURS 6512 / NURS 6550 – Advanced Practice Care of Adults |
| **Week** | 9 (2025/2026) |
| **Chief Complaint** | "My back really hurts, and it's been going on for months" |
### Subjective Data (History Collection)
#### Chief Complaint in Patient's Own Words
> *"I've had this nagging pain in my lower back for months now. It's worse after sitting for long hours."*
, #### History of Present Illness (HPI)
The patient is a 54-year-old male presenting with a **6-20 month history** of chronic lower back pain
that has progressively worsened .
| Feature | Finding |
| :--- | :--- |
| **Onset** | Gradual, insidious onset without specific inciting event |
| **Duration** | 6-20 months (chronic) |
| **Location** | Lumbar region (L4-L5, L5-S1), non-radiating |
| **Quality** | Dull, aching sensation with intermittent sharp exacerbations during movement |
| **Severity** | 4/10 at rest, 7-8/10 with activity |
| **Aggravating Factors** | Prolonged sitting (desk job), prolonged standing, bending, lifting, twisting |
| **Relieving Factors** | Rest, lying flat, OTC ibuprofen (400 mg, 2-3 times daily) |
**Radicular Symptoms:**
- Denies pain radiating below the knee
- Occasional radiation to buttock only (not past the knee)
**Neurologic Symptoms (Denied):**
- Denies numbness or tingling in legs
- Denies weakness in lower extremities
- Denies bowel or bladder dysfunction
- Denies saddle anesthesia
**Systemic Symptoms (Denied):**
Study: Chronic Mechanical Low Back
Pain (54-Year-Old Male, Week 9) -
The Definitive Guide to Passing Your
Exam on Your First Attempt and
Avoiding Resits
,## iHuman Case Study: 54-Year-Old Male with Chronic Mechanical Low Back Pain (Week 9)
### Case Overview
| Feature | Details |
| :--- | :--- |
| **Patient Name** | John Smith / James M. Thompson / Thomas Bennett (varies by version) |
| **Age** | 54 years |
| **Gender** | Male |
| **Height/Weight** | 5'10" (178 cm) / 155-165 lbs (70-75 kg) |
| **BMI** | 22.3 (Normal range) |
| **Occupation** | Warehouse supervisor / Accountant (sedentary work) |
| **Setting** | Outpatient clinic with X-ray, ECG, and laboratory capabilities |
| **Course** | NURS 6512 / NURS 6550 – Advanced Practice Care of Adults |
| **Week** | 9 (2025/2026) |
| **Chief Complaint** | "My back really hurts, and it's been going on for months" |
### Subjective Data (History Collection)
#### Chief Complaint in Patient's Own Words
> *"I've had this nagging pain in my lower back for months now. It's worse after sitting for long hours."*
, #### History of Present Illness (HPI)
The patient is a 54-year-old male presenting with a **6-20 month history** of chronic lower back pain
that has progressively worsened .
| Feature | Finding |
| :--- | :--- |
| **Onset** | Gradual, insidious onset without specific inciting event |
| **Duration** | 6-20 months (chronic) |
| **Location** | Lumbar region (L4-L5, L5-S1), non-radiating |
| **Quality** | Dull, aching sensation with intermittent sharp exacerbations during movement |
| **Severity** | 4/10 at rest, 7-8/10 with activity |
| **Aggravating Factors** | Prolonged sitting (desk job), prolonged standing, bending, lifting, twisting |
| **Relieving Factors** | Rest, lying flat, OTC ibuprofen (400 mg, 2-3 times daily) |
**Radicular Symptoms:**
- Denies pain radiating below the knee
- Occasional radiation to buttock only (not past the knee)
**Neurologic Symptoms (Denied):**
- Denies numbness or tingling in legs
- Denies weakness in lower extremities
- Denies bowel or bladder dysfunction
- Denies saddle anesthesia
**Systemic Symptoms (Denied):**
