Pain After Surgery Symptoms

Pain may be described in many ways. You may be asked to identify the following qualities of the pain:

• Character - The type of pain, stabbing, sharp, dull

• Location - Where the pain is
  
  
• Duration - How long your pain lasts
  
  
• Severity - On a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 as the worst pain you have ever experienced
  
  
• Radiation - Movement from one location to another
  
  
• Movement of pain location
  
  
• Things or movements that make pain better or worse

In addition to pain, tell the doctor about other associated symptoms such as the following:

• Fever (temperature higher than 100°F [38 ºC])

• Nausea, vomiting, or both

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

• Pus or discharge from the wound

• Redness or swelling

• Shortness of breath