Week #9 Case Study 2026 – Back Pain in
a 55-YearOld Male (Course 6512) |
COMPLETE EXAM GUIDE | All Questions
Answered with SOAP Notes, Labs,
Diagnosis & Management
# Week #9 Case Study 2026 – Back Pain in a 55-Year-Old Male (Course 6512)
## COMPLETE EXAM GUIDE | All Questions Answered with SOAP Notes, Labs, Diagnosis & Management
---
,## 📋 CASE OVERVIEW
| **Element** | **Information** |
|-------------|-----------------|
| **Patient** | 55-year-old male |
| **Chief Complaint** | "Lower back pain" |
| **Setting** | Outpatient primary care clinic / Emergency department |
| **Relevant History** | Heavy lifting at work, obesity, sedentary lifestyle |
| **Course** | NURS 6512 / NR 602 (Week 9 — Musculoskeletal Focus) |
| **2026 Updates** | New CDC opioid prescribing guidelines; enhanced focus on non-pharmacological
treatments |
---
## � S — SUBJECTIVE DATA
### Chief Complaint (CC)
**"Lower back pain for 3 days"** (acute presentation) or **"Lower back pain for 4 weeks"** (chronic
exacerbation) depending on case variant
### History of Present Illness (HPI) — OLDCARTS Format
| **Component** | **Findings** |
|---------------|--------------|
| **Onset** | Acute onset 3–4 days ago after lifting heavy boxes/tables at work |
| **Location** | Localized to lower lumbar region; may radiate to right buttock but NOT below the knee
(non-radicular variant) |
, | **Duration** | Constant with variable intensity |
| **Character** | Dull, deep ache; described as "tingly pain" in some variants; "sharp with movement"
|
| **Aggravating Factors** | Bending, lifting, twisting, prolonged standing/sitting, walking |
| **Relieving Factors** | Rest, lying flat, heat therapy, NSAIDs |
| **Treatments** | Ibuprofen 400 mg PRN — "takes the edge off but doesn't make it go away" |
| **Severity** | 6-7/10 at worst; 2-3/10 at best with rest |
### Critical Negatives (Red Flags ABSENT in standard case)
- No bowel or bladder dysfunction
- No saddle anesthesia
- No fever or chills
- No unexplained weight loss
- No recent trauma
- No lower extremity weakness (in standard variant)
- No numbness or tingling
- No IV drug use
- No history of cancer
### Past Medical History (PMH)
- Hypertension (diagnosed 5 years ago, well-controlled)
- Hyperlipidemia
- History of prior back pain episodes (typically resolves in 1-2 weeks)
### Medications
| **Medication** | **Dose/Frequency** | **Indication** |
a 55-YearOld Male (Course 6512) |
COMPLETE EXAM GUIDE | All Questions
Answered with SOAP Notes, Labs,
Diagnosis & Management
# Week #9 Case Study 2026 – Back Pain in a 55-Year-Old Male (Course 6512)
## COMPLETE EXAM GUIDE | All Questions Answered with SOAP Notes, Labs, Diagnosis & Management
---
,## 📋 CASE OVERVIEW
| **Element** | **Information** |
|-------------|-----------------|
| **Patient** | 55-year-old male |
| **Chief Complaint** | "Lower back pain" |
| **Setting** | Outpatient primary care clinic / Emergency department |
| **Relevant History** | Heavy lifting at work, obesity, sedentary lifestyle |
| **Course** | NURS 6512 / NR 602 (Week 9 — Musculoskeletal Focus) |
| **2026 Updates** | New CDC opioid prescribing guidelines; enhanced focus on non-pharmacological
treatments |
---
## � S — SUBJECTIVE DATA
### Chief Complaint (CC)
**"Lower back pain for 3 days"** (acute presentation) or **"Lower back pain for 4 weeks"** (chronic
exacerbation) depending on case variant
### History of Present Illness (HPI) — OLDCARTS Format
| **Component** | **Findings** |
|---------------|--------------|
| **Onset** | Acute onset 3–4 days ago after lifting heavy boxes/tables at work |
| **Location** | Localized to lower lumbar region; may radiate to right buttock but NOT below the knee
(non-radicular variant) |
, | **Duration** | Constant with variable intensity |
| **Character** | Dull, deep ache; described as "tingly pain" in some variants; "sharp with movement"
|
| **Aggravating Factors** | Bending, lifting, twisting, prolonged standing/sitting, walking |
| **Relieving Factors** | Rest, lying flat, heat therapy, NSAIDs |
| **Treatments** | Ibuprofen 400 mg PRN — "takes the edge off but doesn't make it go away" |
| **Severity** | 6-7/10 at worst; 2-3/10 at best with rest |
### Critical Negatives (Red Flags ABSENT in standard case)
- No bowel or bladder dysfunction
- No saddle anesthesia
- No fever or chills
- No unexplained weight loss
- No recent trauma
- No lower extremity weakness (in standard variant)
- No numbness or tingling
- No IV drug use
- No history of cancer
### Past Medical History (PMH)
- Hypertension (diagnosed 5 years ago, well-controlled)
- Hyperlipidemia
- History of prior back pain episodes (typically resolves in 1-2 weeks)
### Medications
| **Medication** | **Dose/Frequency** | **Indication** |
