code: def get_attributes(self, item_name, attribute_name=None,
                         consistent_read=False, item=None):
          
          return self.connection.get_attributes(self, item_name, attribute_name,
                                                consistent_read, item)
docs: Retrieve attributes for a given item.
  
          :type item_name: string
          :param item_name: The name of the item whose attributes are being retrieved.
  
          :type attribute_names: string or list of strings
          :param attribute_names: An attribute name or list of attribute names.  This
                                  parameter is optional.  If not supplied, all attributes
                                  will be retrieved for the item.
  
          :rtype: :class:`boto.sdb.item.Item`
          :return: An Item mapping type containing the requested attribute name/values