Introduction. Disease and surgical treatment and the accompanying pain is a particularly difficult event. Relief of the pain is a priority issue in post-operative treatment, strengthening the efforts of a sick person to fight for the health. Aim. The aim of the study was to find out the degree of pain intensity and its character in the patient. Material and methods. The study was conducted among 189 people after surgical procedures. In the study, the research material was obtained by means of a diagnostic survey. The research tool was a questionnaire examining the cognition of level and essence of the pain in a patient in a post-operative situation. Results. The postoperative pain was conditioned by the sickness, social factors, localization and extent, complications, duration of afflictions and previous experiences. Operated sick people defined the nature of their pain as piercing, sharp and recurrent. Symptoms associated with postoperative pain, according to respondents, were mostly nausea and vomiting. Patients responded to pain with the accelerated pulse, nervous reaction, increased tonus and high blood pressure, as well as limited physical activity. In the opinion of the examined sick people, the pain disturbed their sleep and lowered the mood. Conclusions. The phenomenon of the post-operative pain in the conducted study indicates the need for constant monitoring and implementation of the pain minimization standards after surgical procedures. The conducted study indicates a continuous need for education, information and support for sick people in the postoperative situation.

Key words: postoperative pain, patient, nurse.