Which of the following clinical findings is associated with a diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy?

A palpable adnexal mass is a significant clinical finding associated with an ectopic pregnancy. In ectopic pregnancies, particularly those located in the fallopian tube, as the embryo grows, it can cause swelling and tenderness in the surrounding area. This can be palpated during a pelvic examination. Finding an adnexal mass can indicate that the pregnancy is not located within the uterus, which is critical for the diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy.

While a positive pregnancy test and a normal-sized uterus can occur, they do not rule out an ectopic pregnancy because the hormone hCG can be present in cases where the pregnancy is not intrauterine. Normal menstrual cycles also provide no insight into the current pregnancy status since the timing of ovulation and implantation can vary widely, and bright red vaginal bleeding without pain is less typical of an ectopic pregnancy, which often presents with pain due to tissue damage or those surrounding structures. Thus, the presence of a palpable adnexal mass is a strong supportive sign when diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy.