What intervention is required if a dialysis patient shows symptoms of infection at the access site?

When a dialysis patient exhibits symptoms of infection at the access site, it is crucial to notify the physician and prepare for treatment promptly. This approach is essential because infections at the access site can lead to serious complications, including systemic infections like sepsis, which can jeopardize the patient's health and treatment. By alerting the physician, the healthcare team can initiate appropriate interventions—such as ordering lab tests, prescribing antibiotics, or deciding on further treatment—to manage the infection effectively. Timely communication is vital in such situations to ensure that the patient receives the necessary care without delay.

While monitoring, changing the dressing, or documenting are important aspects of care, they do not adequately address the immediacy of the situation. Infection can escalate quickly, making it imperative to escalate the situation to those with the authority to make medical decisions. Therefore, notifying the physician and preparing for treatment is the most appropriate intervention in response to symptoms of infection at the access site.