Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is among the most serious, costly, and in some cases, preventable health care problem in the United States today. Primary care providers such as nurse practitioners are ideally suited to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and provide counseling and interventions regarding intensive management (i.e., medications, nutrition, and exercise), prevention of complications, immunizations, laboratory screenings, and physical examinations. This article provides a general overview of type 2 diabetes and the role of the nurse practitioner in the prevention and management of this disorder.
