Which combination of symptoms is described as the classic triad of ectopic pregnancy?

The classic triad of symptoms associated with ectopic pregnancy consists of unilateral abdominal pain, amenorrhea, and tenderness or a mass noted on examination. These symptoms reflect the typical presentation of a patient experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterine cavity, most commonly in the fallopian tube.

Unilateral abdominal pain is often the initial symptom, typically occurring on the side of the ectopic implantation. Amenorrhea indicates that the patient has missed a menstrual period, which is usually a sign of pregnancy. The presence of tenderness or palpable mass on pelvic examination may suggest the ectopic tissue and surrounding inflammation.

Other combinations of symptoms like heavy bleeding, fever, nausea, vomiting, or pelvic pressure are important clinical signs but do not encapsulate the classic triad often used to identify ectopic pregnancy specifically. The absence of the two crucial components—amenorrhea and either unilateral acute abdominal pain or mass/tenderness—makes those alternatives less representative of the classic presentation.