Describe how you as Family Nurse Practitioner, can/or have made a difference in the care of patients with this specific disease and tell of one specific patient care teaching that he/she may do to help minimize disease symptoms. Use apa format and References scholarch article no older than 5 years.

As a Family Nurse Practitioner, I can make a significant difference in the care of patients with diabetes by providing comprehensive care and promoting patient education. According to a study by Agarwal, Tandon, and Gupta (2018), comprehensive care involves addressing multiple aspects of diabetes management, including glycemic control, blood pressure, lipid control, weight management, smoking cessation, and microvascular and macrovascular complications.

One specific patient care teaching that I may do to help minimize disease symptoms is to educate patients on the importance of physical activity. A study by O’Brien et al. (2016) found that physical activity is an effective way to improve glycemic control in patients with diabetes. Patients with diabetes should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week, spread over at least three days per week with no more than two consecutive days without activity (American Diabetes Association, 2022).

I may teach patients the importance of regular exercise and recommend specific types of physical activities that they can engage in, such as walking, swimming, or cycling. I may also advise them on how to monitor their blood glucose levels before and after physical activity to ensure that they are not experiencing hypoglycemia. In addition, I may recommend that they work with a physical therapist or exercise specialist to develop an individualized exercise plan.

In conclusion, as a Family Nurse Practitioner, I can make a difference in the care of patients with diabetes by providing comprehensive care and promoting patient education. By teaching patients about the importance of physical activity, I can help them minimize disease symptoms and improve their overall health.