Final answer:
The Homans' sign should no longer be used to assess for thrombophlebitis due to its unreliability and risk of dislodging a clot. Nurses should look for leg swelling, warmth, redness, and pain.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a postpartum woman is developing thrombophlebitis in her right leg, the nurse should no longer use the Homans sign as an assessment technique. Homans' sign, which involves dorsiflexion of the foot to check for pain in the calf, is no longer recommended due to its lack of specificity and potential to dislodge a clot. Instead, nurses should assess for signs of thrombophlebitis such as leg swelling, warmth, redness, and pain upon palpation.