The nurse is caring for a patient with type 2 diabetes who reports diaphoresis and palpitations. A blood glucose check reveals a level of 55 mg/dL. What is the nurse's immediate intervention?

Choice A reason: Eating any foods before dialysis as long as fluid intake is limited is incorrect. Patients undergoing hemodialysis need to follow specific dietary restrictions to manage electrolyte balance and prevent complications. A renal diet typically limits potassium, phosphorus, and sodium intake, in addition to fluid restrictions.

Choice B reason: Reporting any unusual changes in the access site, like redness or swelling, is correct. Changes at the access site can indicate infection or other complications and require immediate attention.

Choice C reason: Checking blood pressure regularly to monitor for changes during dialysis is correct. Blood pressure monitoring is essential during dialysis to detect hypotension or hypertension and adjust treatment accordingly.

Choice D reason: Contacting the healthcare provider if swelling in hands, feet, or ankles is noticed is correct. Swelling can indicate fluid overload or other complications that need to be addressed.

Choice E reason: Understanding that hemodialysis will permanently cure kidney disease is incorrect. Hemodialysis is a treatment that replaces kidney function but does not cure kidney disease. It manages symptoms and removes waste products from the blood.

Choice A reason: Hypoventilation is not a cause of respiratory alkalosis. Hypoventilation leads to respiratory acidosis due to the retention of carbon dioxide (CO2). Respiratory alkalosis occurs when there is excessive exhalation of CO2, leading to a higher pH (alkaline).

Choice B reason: Panic attacks can cause respiratory alkalosis due to hyperventilation. During a panic attack, a person may breathe rapidly and deeply, leading to excessive loss of CO2. This reduces the CO2 levels in the blood and increases the pH, resulting in respiratory alkalosis.

Choice C reason: Pneumonia is more likely to cause respiratory acidosis or metabolic acidosis rather than respiratory alkalosis. Pneumonia can impair gas exchange, leading to CO2 retention and decreased oxygen levels, which are not typical triggers for respiratory alkalosis.

Choice D reason: Congestive heart failure can lead to respiratory alkalosis, but it is more commonly associated with metabolic acidosis due to poor perfusion and anaerobic metabolism. Hyperventilation in heart failure patients can lead to respiratory alkalosis, but panic attacks are a more direct and common cause.