A 54-year-old woman has a 2 cm round, mobile, nontender mass on her wrist. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

In this scenario, the 54-year-old woman's presentation of a 2 cm round, mobile, nontender mass on her wrist is suggestive of a benign condition, such as a ganglion cyst, which is common and typically not harmful. The characteristics of the mass—being round, mobile, and nontender—are very much consistent with a ganglion cyst, often found in the wrist area.

Observation and reassurance is the most appropriate next step in management for several reasons. Firstly, many ganglion cysts resolve spontaneously without intervention, especially in asymptomatic cases. Therefore, careful observation allows time to see if the mass diminishes or resolves on its own. Additionally, providing reassurance to the patient helps alleviate anxiety related to the mass, especially when it is not causing any pain or functional impairment.

Further intervention, such as immediate surgical removal or referral to a specialist, would be more appropriate if the mass were symptomatic, rapidly growing, or concerning for malignancy based on other clinical findings. Ultrasound-guided aspiration could be considered in cases where the cyst is symptomatic or if the patient desires removal, but in the absence of symptoms, a conservative approach is warranted.

Therefore, taking into account the nature of the mass and the patient's symptomat