Abstract: The progress of 22 adult patients was recorded for three days post operatively. Pain was assessed at rest and on activity three times a day using visual analogues. Nausea levels were assessed similarly. All analgesics and anti emetics administered were recorded. There was a wide range of variation in the administration of medications and consequently a wide range of effectiveness. A significant proportion of patients showed unacceptably high levels of pain indicating under treatment. Patients and nurses had conflicting expectations of who should initiate the request for pain medication