, Week 9 i-Human Case Study: Acute
Lower Back Pain in a 55-Year-Old
Male
Comprehensive Clinical Case – NURS 6512: Advanced Health
Assessment (Week #9)
Walden University | Fall 2026
Patient Demographics: 55-year-old male | Height: 5'10" (178 cm) | Weight:
246 lb (111.4 kg) | BMI: 35.3 (Obese Class I) | Reason for encounter: “Back
pain”
Encounter date: [Simulated] | Setting: Outpatient primary care clinic
1. Case Overview & Learning Objectives
This i-Human case presents a 55-year-old male with acute-onset lower back pain
that began 48 hours prior to presentation. The case emphasizes the differentiation
of mechanical vs. non-mechanical causes of low back pain, recognition of red
flags (cauda equina syndrome, fracture, infection, malignancy), and
evidencebased management of acute lumbar strain with radicular symptoms.
Students will practice focused history taking, a comprehensive musculoskeletal
and neurologic examination, appropriate use of imaging, and non-
pharmacologic/pharmacologic interventions. The primary working diagnosis is
acute lumbosacral strain with right-sided radicular symptoms, but a
thorough assessment must rule out more serious pathology.
Lower Back Pain in a 55-Year-Old
Male
Comprehensive Clinical Case – NURS 6512: Advanced Health
Assessment (Week #9)
Walden University | Fall 2026
Patient Demographics: 55-year-old male | Height: 5'10" (178 cm) | Weight:
246 lb (111.4 kg) | BMI: 35.3 (Obese Class I) | Reason for encounter: “Back
pain”
Encounter date: [Simulated] | Setting: Outpatient primary care clinic
1. Case Overview & Learning Objectives
This i-Human case presents a 55-year-old male with acute-onset lower back pain
that began 48 hours prior to presentation. The case emphasizes the differentiation
of mechanical vs. non-mechanical causes of low back pain, recognition of red
flags (cauda equina syndrome, fracture, infection, malignancy), and
evidencebased management of acute lumbar strain with radicular symptoms.
Students will practice focused history taking, a comprehensive musculoskeletal
and neurologic examination, appropriate use of imaging, and non-
pharmacologic/pharmacologic interventions. The primary working diagnosis is
acute lumbosacral strain with right-sided radicular symptoms, but a
thorough assessment must rule out more serious pathology.
