What diagnostic study should the nurse inform a client with possible placental insufficiency about?

Ultrasonography is a key diagnostic study for assessing placental insufficiency because it allows healthcare providers to visualize the placenta and the fetus in real-time. Through this imaging technique, clinicians can evaluate placental position, structure, and blood flow, as well as monitor fetal growth and well-being. In cases of placental insufficiency, practitioners often look for signs of inadequate fetal growth, abnormal blood flow patterns, or other complications that may arise from the placenta's inability to supply sufficient nutrients and oxygen to the fetus.

While amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling are valuable diagnostic tools, they primarily focus on genetic testing and identifying chromosomal abnormalities rather than assessing placental function. Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein is used to screen for certain fetal conditions but is not specifically aimed at evaluating placental health. Thus, ultrasonography stands out as the most appropriate and effective method for diagnosing potential issues related to placental insufficiency.