2023-2024

CLINICAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Postpartum Assessment

Name: Examiner:

S = Satisfactory U = Unsatisfactory S U Comments

1. Review chart:
a. Prenatal: Problems, Preparation, Partner
b. Labour & Birth: Vaginal/C-section delivery
c. Unique aspects: forceps, vacuum, episiotomy, perineal
tear, hemorrhage, etc.
2. Review Postpartum Orders (physician or midwife): IV,
discontinue Foley, Rhogam.
3. Gathers all required supplies (pad, stethoscope, gloves, etc.)
from the utility room AND checks the integrity of supplies
and the expiration date
4. Cleanses work surface area prior to setting down supplies on
bedside table AND provides patient/client with privacy
5. Perform hand hygiene and choose appropriate PPE.
6. Introduces self formally using full name (first and last) AND
identifies self as a nursing student from the University of
Windsor/St Clair College/Lambton College AND states their
pronouns (e.g., “…and I use they/them/theirs
pronouns”) AND states their role (e.g., “I will be changing
your bed linens today while you are still in the bed”). Is
wearing proper ID (if possible) AND is dressed in proper
attire (e.g., with trimmed nails, hair pulled back and off the
face and collar, facial piercing removed or covered, and
jewellery limited to two studs in the ears and a plain wedding
band only as per Collaborative Nursing Policies).
7. Identifies the patient – Asks patient’s full name (first AND
last) AND birthdate AND confirms with arm band (or states
would do so) AND asks how the patient would like to be
addressed AND asks patient their pronouns (e.g., “What
pronouns do you use?”).
8. Checks patient/client armband for allergies AND confirms
allergies with patient/client allergies including latex, betadine,
shellfish, cleansing solutions and tape by asking the
patient/client
9. Explain assessment to patient and obtain verbal consent
AND provides privacy.
10. Ask patient to void. Assess pain AND offer analgesia prn.
11. Assess Vital Signs.
12. Position patient supine with bed flat at a comfortable working
height.
13. For epidural/spinal anaesthetic, assess: LOC, epidural site,
numb extremities (must assess all 3)
a. LOC/headache

Revised: L. Ecclestone & E. Dillon (2019), L. Rivest (2021), R. Elliot & R. Boudali (2022) S. Helkie & R. Elliott (2023)
2023-2024
b. Sensation especially in extremities (e.g., paresthesia -
numbness, tingling)
c. Epidural site: hematoma, redness or drainage
14. Breasts: assess 4 - size, shape, symmetry, areola/nipple; (must
state all 4 for full marks)
a. Breastfeeding- frequency, positions, latch
15. Uterus: use two hands to assess 2 - fundus location, firmness.
a. Fundal height in cm or fingerbreadths above or below
the umbilicus and location - midline, deviation from
midline
b. Tone: firm, firm with massage, boggy
16. Bladder: assess 2 - voiding, distension, catheterization (must
state all for full marks).
17. Bowel: assess 2 – passing gas, LBM, abdomen soft, bowel
sounds (must state all for full marks).
18. Lochia: assess 4 – colour (rubra/serosa/alba), amount, odour,
consistency/clots.
19. Episiotomy/Abdominal Incision
a. Episiotomy and/or lacerations
i. Identify degree of laceration (1st-4th degree)
ii. Place the patient in a Sim’s position and
assesses using REEDA-O.
b. Abdominal incision (C-section) assesses incision
using REEDA-O; assesses dressing if present.
20. Assess knowledge/effectiveness of personal peri care OR
post-op incisional care (C-section).
21. Haemorrhoids: assess 2 - pain, swelling, itching, burning.
22. Reposition patient/client and perform safety checks prior to
exiting the patient’s room (e.g., patient has call bell, bed in
lowest position, siderails up if required).
23. Emotional Status: assess- Adaptation to Role, Bonding,
Postpartum Blues/Postpartum Depression, Emotional Support.
24. Health Teaching: Assess - Knowledge of postpartum changes
and common concerns. Student must provide 1 piece of new
information to educate patient/client that is related to the
medication.
25. Communicate therapeutically with client/patient throughout
procedure.
26. Answer critical thinking question correctly.

Revised: L. Ecclestone & E. Dillon (2019), L. Rivest (2021), R. Elliot & R. Boudali (2022) S. Helkie & R. Elliott (2023)