A 30-year-old female patient presents with a painless, firm thyroid nodule

A 30-year-old female patient presents with a painless, firm thyroid nodule

A 30-year-old female patient presents with a painless, firm thyroid nodule. Ultrasonography shows a hypoechoic nodule with microcalcifications. Which of the following is the next step in management?

A. Thyroid function tests

B. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB)

C. Radioactive iodine scan

D. Surgical resection

Answer: B

Explanation: Hypoechoic thyroid nodules with microcalcifications are associated with a higher risk of malignancy (e.g., papillary thyroid carcinoma). Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the gold standard for evaluating thyroid nodules to distinguish benign from malignant lesions. Thyroid function tests assess thyroid hormone levels but not malignancy (A is incorrect). Radioactive iodine scan is used for functional assessment (e.g., hot vs. cold nodules, C is incorrect). Surgical resection is indicated only if FNAB confirms malignancy (D is incorrect).