Did you know millions of Americans choose a nurse practitioner as their primary care provider? Primary care nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs)who provide primary, acute, and chronic care to patients of all ages and backgrounds, emphasizing disease prevention and health promotion.
If you are considering nurse practitioners as your primary care provider, you may have many questions in your mind. Here are ten questions to ask your primary care nurse practitioner.
Question #1 What Is Your Role in Primary Care?
As a primary care provider, a nurse practitioner can offer a comprehensive range of primary care services, including treating acute illnesses, managing chronic diseases, preventive care, and patient education.
It is pertinent to mention that nurse practitioners cannot perform minor surgical procedures on their own like other primary care providers.
Question #2 When Should I See You?
Primary care nurse practitioners can address a wide range of health concerns, including minor illnesses, chronic conditions, and routine checkups. However, if you have a complex condition that may require a minor surgical procedure, it is recommended to see a medical doctor.
Question #3 Do you offer Regular Annual Checkups?
Yes, like other primary care providers, a primary care nurse practitioner can also offer annual checkups as a part of preventive healthcare. However, the regular checkups that a primary care nurse practitioner recommends can vary based on an individual’s health status, age, and any ongoing medical condition.
Question #4 Can You Prescribe Medications?
Yes, nurse practitioners hold some type of privilege to prescribe medications to their patients. They have prescriptive authority through written agreement with a collaborating medical doctor or physician.
Question #5 What Services Can You Offer?
A primary nurse practitioner can take and record the medical histories of the patients and their symptoms, perform physical examinations, order diagnostic tests such as imaging tests and laboratory tests, analyze the results of diagnostic tests, and diagnose and treat diseases, illnesses, and other health problems.
Additionally, they can also create a patient care plan and prescribe medications.
Question #7 How Often Should I See You?
The frequency of individual patients’ visits to a primary care nurse practitioner can vary depending on several factors, including their age, health status, medical history, and ongoing health condition. A primary care nurse practitioner can consider all these factors before recommending the frequency of your checkups.
Question #8 Can You Offer Women’s Healthcare Services?
Yes, a primary care nurse practitioner can offer a comprehensive range of services for women’s health and well-being, including the following.
- Preventative screening tests, such as pap smears and breast exams
- Diagnosis and treatment for women’s disorders, such as endometriosis, gynecological cancer, pelvic pain disorders, and sexually transmitted diseases.
- Advice on birth control and sexual health
- Pregnancy care
- Family planning
- Nutrition and weight management
Question #9 Can You Collaborate with My Specialist?
A primary care nurse practitioner can collaborate with specialists to provide patients with comprehensive and coordinated care. They share the current medical information of the patient with their health specialist and other providers to ensure that everyone involved in the patient’s care has a complete picture of their health.
They also communicate the progress, any changes in their health status, and any adjustments to their treatment plan.
Question #10 Does Working with A Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Save Health Costs?
Studies have reported that working with a primary care nurse practitioner can save healthcare costs. One study compared the cost of care for two primary care issues and found that the cost of care given by physicians was 20% more expensive than the cost of care given by nurse practitioners.
Primary Care Nurse Practitioner in DeSoto Texas
If you are looking for a nurse practitioner who offers comprehensive and personalized primary care and women’s health care, visit us here at Pivot Healthcare Company. Our family nurse practitioner, Crystal Capler, has received board certification from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and has years of professional experience in diagnosing and managing acute and chronic health conditions, such as obesity, asthma, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and more. He also offers education on how to keep these chronic health conditions under control.
To get the primary care you deserve, schedule a consultation with our nurse practitioner by calling us today at (214) 242-9316 or requesting an appointment online.
