PURPOSE To evaluate pain levels in patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) using the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC). METHODS Prospective cohort study conducted in the surgical hospitalization units of a university hospital in southern Brazil. Twenty‐four patients were evaluated and followed‐up for four consecutive days after THA. FINDINGS A significant difference was found between the first and last evaluations for the outcome pain level (2102). Two indicators also showed statistically significant differences overtime. CONCLUSIONS The NOC outcome and indicators demonstrated the different pain levels of patients who underwent THA. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE The NOC system is applicable to clinical practice, because it facilitated the follow‐up of patient progression.