This study was aimed at analyzing available evidence on volatile anesthetics administration, and nursing diagnosis of nausea in the immediate postoperative period. It was based on a literature revision in the following data bases: Latin American and Caribbean Literature in the Health Sciences (Lilacs), PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (Cinahl), and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR). The sample encompasses nine studies. Volatile anesthetics administration during the postoperative period is a factor related to nausea and vomiting, according to two studies with evidence level II, two with evidence level IV one with evidence level VI and four literature revisions. The results suggest that there is a connection between volatile anesthetics, nausea and vomiting.