In what situation would a nurse be required to report abnormal findings during a physical assessment?

A nurse is required to report abnormal findings during a physical assessment when those findings indicate a potentially serious condition or require further investigation. In the case of observing a hard lump during a testicular examination, this is considered abnormal and warrants immediate attention. A hard lump can signify various medical issues, including the possibility of tumors or testicular cancer, which requires further diagnostic evaluation.

The presence of edema without pain may not be immediately threatening and could be related to other benign causes. Visible bruising post-surgery, while it is important to monitor, is often expected in the healing process and might not require immediate reporting unless there are other concerning accompanying symptoms. Finally, if a client reports no discomfort during an assessment, this is typically a normal finding and does not indicate anything that needs to be reported. Therefore, identifying a hard lump is critical for timely intervention and management.