Introduction: Anesthesia and anesthesiology are key elements of modern medicine, essential for providing pain relief and eliminating discomfort during surgical procedures and other medical interventions. Nausea, vomiting, and the urge to vomit are the three leading problems following the administration of anesthesia, often occurring in a large number of patients. Although these problems are mostly not life-threatening, they can significantly complicate patient recovery, requiring careful prevention and a multidisciplinary approach in preoperative care. Objective: The aim of this paper is to investigate the mechanisms underlying postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), describe the key factors contributing to the development of PONV, and evaluate the effectiveness of various preventive and therapeutic strategies. Discussion: PONV is one of the most common and unpleasant side effects after anesthesia, often referred to as the "big little problem." It manifests through three main symptoms: nausea, vomiting, and the urge to vomit without expelling stomach contents. Nausea is a subjective, unpleasant sensation that often precedes vomiting, while vomiting involves the coordinated action of multiple muscles to expel stomach contents. These symptoms, although often overlooked in practice, can have significant physical and psychological consequences for the patient, including dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, increased intra-abdominal pressure, intracranial or intraocular pressure, as well as psychological discomfort and stress. Effective management of PONV requires a multifaceted approach that combines pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of antiemetic protection, aiming to reduce the incidence of PONV and improve patient recovery. Conclusion: Despite advances in anesthetic techniques, modern short-acting anesthetics with improved properties, and antiemetic prophylaxis, the incidence of PONV after general anesthesia remains unacceptably high. A multidisciplinary approach, as well as ongoing clinical research that includes risk factors and the effectiveness of antiemetics, is necessary. Key aspects include risk assessment, the use of regional anesthesia techniques, and the application of combined pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of protection and/or therapy. Nurses play an important role as part of the surgical-anesthetic team, contributing significantly to reducing risk and improving surgical outcomes through patient education and support. A holistic approach in anesthetic practice can greatly contribute to improving clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction with treatment, and reducing healthcare costs.