CASE STUDY ANALYSIS

week 8 case study

NURS-6501-WEEK 8  CASE STUDY – MSK  PATIENT CASE SCENARIO Patient: A.T. Age: 45 years Sex: Male Date of Birth: 05/14/1980 Date of Injury (DOI): 04/10/2026 Date of Visit: 04/12/2026 Chief Complaint “Severe lower back pain after lifting.” History of Present Illness The patient is a 45-year-old male who presents with acute onset lower back pain after bending to  lift a light object at home. He reports hearing a “pop” followed by immediate sharp pain  localized to the mid-lower back. He denies any fall, direct trauma, or heavy lifting at the time of  injury. Over the past 6–8 months, he reports: • Progressive back stiffness  • Diffuse bone pain  • Fatigue and decreased strength  • Reduced exercise tolerance  • Noted height loss  He states: “This didn’t feel like a normal lifting injury.” Past Medical History • Chronic moderate-to-severe asthma  Medications • Long-term oral corticosteroids (prednisone)  • Intermittent inhaled corticosteroids  • OTC supplements Social History • Recreational power lifting  • Sedentary outside of training  • Limited sun exposure (indoor occupation)  • Low intake of calcium-rich foods  • Former smoker  Family History • Father with fracture in his 50s  REVIEW OF SYSTEMS (ROS) General: Fatigue, decreased endurance, unintentional height loss Musculoskeletal: Back pain, stiffness, diffuse bone aches Neurological: Denies numbness, tingling, weakness, or bowel/bladder dysfunction Endocrine: Reports fatigue and decreased strength Respiratory: History of asthma, no acute distress Cardiovascular: Denies chest pain or palpitations PHYSICAL EXAMINATION General: Alert, appears uncomfortable with movement Vital Signs: BP: 128/82 HR: 74 RR: 16 Temp: 98.6°F BMI: 30 Musculoskeletal: • Point tenderness over thoracolumbar region  • Pain with spinal flexion and extension  • Limited range of motion due to pain  • No visible deformity  Neurological: • Strength 5/5 bilateral lower extremities  • Sensation intact  • Reflexes normal  • No focal neurological deficits  CLINICAL CONCERN The presentation is concerning for a low-impact vertebral compression fracture, suggesting  underlying bone fragility rather than mechanical injury. CASE STUDY QUESTIONS (RUBRIC-ALIGNED) *Follow the rubric and check again before you submit your final work Rubric Criterion 1 – Pathophysiological Processes (30 points) STUDENT QUESTIONS TO ANSWER MEETING RUBRIC CRITERION 1: Questions to be answered:  1. Describe the primary pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to this patient’s  fracture.  2. Explain how the patient’s symptoms support bone fragility rather than isolated  mechanical injury.  3. Identify the most likely underlying condition and justify your reasoning.  Rubric Criterion 2 – Genetics and Risk Factors (30 points) Rubric language: “Describe the role genetic mutations play in the development of the disease and the risk factors that make  the patient more susceptible” STUDENT QUESTIONS TO ANSWER MEETING RUBRIC CRITERION 2: 1. Discuss the role of genetic predisposition in bone density and fracture risk.  2. Identify and explain patient-specific risk factors, including corticosteroid use, nutrition,  and lifestyle.  3. Explain how these factors contribute to the patient’s condition.  Rubric Criterion 3 – History/Lifestyle and Clinical Differentiation (25 points) Rubric language: “Explain any racial/ethnic variables that may impact physiological functioning AND explain factors in  the patient’s history and lifestyle that could have contributed to the development of the disease process” STUDENT QUESTIONS TO ANSWER MEETING RUBRIC CRITERION 3 1. Analyze how lifestyle factors contributed to decreased bone integrity.  2. Discuss how population-level variables may influence bone health.  3. Distinguish between:  o Osteoporosis vs mechanical injury  o Osteoporosis vs osteoarthritis  Rubric Criterion 4: Writing and Formatting (10 points)  Rubric language: Content is supported by at least 3 current evidence-based sources. Body of  paper is no more than 2 pages in length. LITERATURE & AI USE EXPECTATIONS • Use a minimum of three (3) current, peer-reviewed sources (within the last 5 (2021  forward) years. • All references must be real, retrievable, and verifiable through academic databases  (e.g., PubMed, Google Scholar).  • Ensure that:  o In-text citations match the reference list o Author names, journal titles, and publication years are accurate  o Sources directly support your clinical statements  • If AI tools are used, you must:  o Verify that all cited references actually exist o Confirm that the information is accurate and evidence-based o Rewrite all content in your own words with clinical reasoning o Reminder faculty may ask you for the pdf file shared from AI before completing  your grade.  • Do not rely on:  o Fabricated or unverifiable citations  o General health websites or non-scholarly sources as primary references  o AI-generated summaries without validation  • Your analysis must reflect:  o Patient-specific pathophysiology o Clear connection between evidence and the case scenario o Integration of sources into your reasoning, not just citation listing  • APA 7th edition  • Scholarly tone  IMPORTANT • Submissions that include unverifiable sources, inaccurate resources will have points  deducted from each rubric criterion.  IMPORTANT REMINDERS • Write based on the patient’s pathophysiology, not textbook descriptions  o Pathophysiological match patient symptoms  • Do not assume labs or imaging  • Keep analysis case-specific  • Avoid SOAP or treatment language  • Stay within 2 page limit

This topic is closed for comments.