What clinical finding is indicative of chorioamnionitis?

The clinical finding indicative of chorioamnionitis is purulent vaginal discharge. Chorioamnionitis is an infection of the amniotic fluid and membranes surrounding the fetus, which often manifests with several distinctive clinical signs. One of the hallmark presentations is the presence of foul-smelling or purulent discharge, reflecting the infectious process occurring within the uterus.

In cases of chorioamnionitis, the maternal system reacts to the infection, which can elevate the mother's temperature and lead to an increase in maternal and fetal heart rates. The presence of purulent discharge suggests that there is a significant infectious process at play, as opposed to other findings that may not directly indicate an infection in the amniotic cavity.

While foul-smelling lochia can also suggest an infection, it is more commonly associated with conditions like postpartum endometritis rather than the presence of chorioamnionitis specifically. A palpable mass in the abdomen may indicate other conditions, such as an enlarged uterus or another abdominal pathology, but is not a direct sign of chorioamnionitis. Decreased fetal movement can be a general sign of fetal distress or intrauterine infection but is not a definitive clinical finding for chorioamnionitis on its own. Thus, the