What nursing action can minimize surgical pain in the OR? What are common causes of post-operative pain?

One word REASSURANCE!
Let us be honest, you go for surgery, they knock you out, you know zero, you come around and are missing a few hours! Eventually the reality sinks in, WTF! By now you are feeling pretty dumb, if not stupid, many people freak at the fact they have been seen naked, the list is endless. The fact that to the OR staff you are just a side of meat, see many everyday never enters the mind. Therefore reassurance that all went well and you were a good patient, if not the best patient, brings back some self-confidence.
Last time I was in Hospital, female with ectopic pregnancy, had the operation, was stapled up rather than stitched. She was panicking from the moment she saw the staples, until the day when they were due to be removed. So while the staples were being removed, the Ward, all six of us sang that song 'Row row row your boat gently down the stream' took it in turns, including her and the staples were out before she realized it was all done and dusted. Fear and panic are also common causes of post operative care. Good Luck

There is no surgical pain in the O.R. assuming there is an anesthesiologist on board. The most common cause of post op pain is the anesthesiologist NOT giving enough narcotics. They are afraid of being reported to DEA.

Convince the patient to cancel the surgery.