ABSTRACT
The finding of a lump is a common reason for patients to present to their medical practitioner. No matter what the anatomical location, the process of examining a lump remains consistent. It is necessary to determine the diagnosis of a lump and what sort of treatment, if any, may be offered. Gain verbal consent from the patient to examine the lump. In some instances, it may be appropriate to have a chaperone present e.g. breast or groin lumps. Suspicion of a hernia or vascular mass should prompt auscultation. To conduct a hernia examination in full, the patient should be examined in both standing and lying positions. There is a mass over the anterior aspect of the left forearm with an overlying well-healed scar. There are no changes to the surrounding skin or temperature differences, and the skin is freely mobile over the surface.
