lOMoARcPSD|3920845
ATI MATERNITY PROCTORED STUDY GUIDE 2022
Postpartum Assessment- Mother
• Perform a general HTTA (respiratory, cardio, DVT, etc.) then a focused “BUBBLE-HE”
assessment.
o Breast: No cracking or fissures on areola or nipple. No masses or tenderness
in breast tissue. Breast should be soft at first then firm.
o Uterus, Bladder, Bowel: ‘
▪ Ask if there is pain in the area.
▪ Make sure the mother had urinated before assessing so the bladder does
not occlude the uterus.
▪ Use the side of your hand to palpate and search for a firm, pear-
shaped mass at the point of ”UU”…this is the fundus.
▪ Ask the mother if she is having urinary symptoms (pain with urination,
trouble starting stream, incontinence, etc.) Burning and trouble voiding
is common. Make sure peri-care is performed q2-3 hours.
▪ Listen for healthy bowel sounds and ask when the last BM was. The
main GI goal is to prevent postpartum constipation.
o Lochia:
▪ Assess the genital region and peri-pad for blood clots and trickling bloody
discharge. A moderate amount is normal. Excessive amounts are not
normal.
▪ Check the labia’s for swelling. Tx: Ice pack.
▪ Rubra (sp?): Bright or dark red discharge
▪ Albia (sp?): White to yellow discharge
▪ Cirrhosis (sp?): Pink to yellow discharge
o Episiotomy:
▪ Turn the patient to the side and lift their leg to assess the area between the
vagina and anus.
• Make sure are is intact with no redness, pain, swelling, etc.
• Note the approximation of the site
▪ Also check the epidural site while in the position to make sure it is normal
o Hemorrhoids:
▪ Common postpartum
▪ Tx: Provide comfort and witch hazel pads.
o Emotion:
▪ Ask and assess about the emotional status of the mom
▪ “Sadness” may occur causing postpartum depression
▪ Provide education to mom and family about postpartum depression
▪ Look at social issues concerning the child
▪ Make sure the mother is bonding and participating in the care of the
newborn.
ATI MATERNITY PROCTORED STUDY GUIDE 2022
Postpartum Assessment- Mother
• Perform a general HTTA (respiratory, cardio, DVT, etc.) then a focused “BUBBLE-HE”
assessment.
o Breast: No cracking or fissures on areola or nipple. No masses or tenderness
in breast tissue. Breast should be soft at first then firm.
o Uterus, Bladder, Bowel: ‘
▪ Ask if there is pain in the area.
▪ Make sure the mother had urinated before assessing so the bladder does
not occlude the uterus.
▪ Use the side of your hand to palpate and search for a firm, pear-
shaped mass at the point of ”UU”…this is the fundus.
▪ Ask the mother if she is having urinary symptoms (pain with urination,
trouble starting stream, incontinence, etc.) Burning and trouble voiding
is common. Make sure peri-care is performed q2-3 hours.
▪ Listen for healthy bowel sounds and ask when the last BM was. The
main GI goal is to prevent postpartum constipation.
o Lochia:
▪ Assess the genital region and peri-pad for blood clots and trickling bloody
discharge. A moderate amount is normal. Excessive amounts are not
normal.
▪ Check the labia’s for swelling. Tx: Ice pack.
▪ Rubra (sp?): Bright or dark red discharge
▪ Albia (sp?): White to yellow discharge
▪ Cirrhosis (sp?): Pink to yellow discharge
o Episiotomy:
▪ Turn the patient to the side and lift their leg to assess the area between the
vagina and anus.
• Make sure are is intact with no redness, pain, swelling, etc.
• Note the approximation of the site
▪ Also check the epidural site while in the position to make sure it is normal
o Hemorrhoids:
▪ Common postpartum
▪ Tx: Provide comfort and witch hazel pads.
o Emotion:
▪ Ask and assess about the emotional status of the mom
▪ “Sadness” may occur causing postpartum depression
▪ Provide education to mom and family about postpartum depression
▪ Look at social issues concerning the child
▪ Make sure the mother is bonding and participating in the care of the
newborn.
