A 60-year-old woman is undergoing a pelvic examination. During the examination, the nurse finds a mass in the pelvic region that is hard, irregular, and fixed. The nurse's most appropriate course of action would be to:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Refer the patient to a gynecologist for further evaluation. Given the characteristics of the mass (hard, irregular, fixed), it raises concerns for possible malignancy. Referring the patient to a gynecologist allows for a specialist to conduct a thorough evaluation, which may include additional imaging studies and biopsies to determine the nature of the mass. Monitoring the mass (choice A) without further evaluation may delay potential diagnosis and treatment. Obtaining a biopsy (choice C) without proper evaluation by a specialist may not be appropriate at this stage. Performing a pelvic ultrasound (choice D) can provide additional information but may not be sufficient for a definitive diagnosis of malignancy.