Your 54-year-old male patient complains of a painless "lump" in his lower left abdomen that comes and goes for the past couple of weeks.When examining the abdomen,you should have the patient:

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Standing and bearing down against the examiner's hand helps to reveal any hernias or abdominal wall weaknesses. This maneuver increases intra-abdominal pressure, causing any hernias to become more apparent. A digital rectal examination or lying in a left lateral recumbent position would not be necessary for the evaluation of a lower left abdominal lump. Taking a deep breath while lying flat may help to reveal masses in other areas of the abdomen, but it is not the best option for evaluating a lower left abdominal lump.

Your 54-Year-Old Male Patient Complains of a Painless "Lump" in His