A nurse is creating a plan of care for a fetus who has been diagnosed with clubfoot via ultrasound. Which of the following procedures should the nurse expect to include in the plan of care?

Choice A reason: Clubfoot, or talipes equinovarus, is treated with serial casting (Ponseti method) soon after birth to gradually correct foot deformities caused by shortened tendons. Weekly casts realign the foot, promoting normal bone and joint development, preventing long-term mobility issues, and avoiding invasive surgery in most cases. Choice B reason: Monitoring and physical therapy alone are insufficient for clubfoot correction. While therapy supports mobility post-casting, the primary treatment involves serial casting to address tendon contractures. Delaying active intervention risks permanent deformity, as passive monitoring does not correct the structural abnormality. Choice C reason: In utero surgery for clubfoot is not a standard treatment, as the condition is effectively managed postnatally with casting. Fetal surgery is reserved for severe conditions like spina bifida, not clubfoot, which involves soft tissue contractures correctable after birth, making this inappropriate. Choice D reason: An orthotic brace at 6 months is part of maintenance after casting, not the primary treatment. Serial casting begins shortly after birth to correct clubfoot, with bracing later to maintain alignment, making this a secondary step, not the initial plan of care.