A client at 29-weeks gestation with possible placental insufficiency is being prepared for prenatal testing. Which diagnostic study should the nurse provide information about?

• A. Amniocentesis
• B. Ultrasonography
• C. Chorionic villus sampling
• D. Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein

Answer: (B)

Ultrasound is the study that provides the needed information at this stage because it noninvasively shows how the fetus is growing, how much amniotic fluid is present, and the placenta’s structure and location. When placental insufficiency is suspected, this imaging can be coupled with Doppler to assess blood flow in the placenta and fetus, revealing signs like fetal growth restriction, oligohydramnios, and abnormal umbilical artery waveforms that indicate reduced placental perfusion. This combination helps guide monitoring and management without risking the fetus with invasive procedures. Other options serve different purposes: amniocentesis looks at fetal genetics or lung maturity, chorionic villus sampling is for early genetic diagnosis, and maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screens for neural tube defects and dating accuracy, not placental function.