Candidiasis / thrush

Etiology / Pathophysiology

• Candida overgrowth risk rises with antibiotics, inhaled corticosteroids, immune compromise, diabetes, dentures, or newborn status.
• Yeast overgrowth causes white plaques, soreness, swallowing discomfort, or mucocutaneous irritation.

Medications

No specific medication class was seeded for this card.

Nursing actions

• Inspect mouth, tongue, mucosa, skin folds, and swallowing ability.
• Teach rinsing mouth after inhaled corticosteroids and completing ordered antifungal therapy.
• Escalate airway compromise, inability to swallow, fever in immune compromise, or poor intake in infants.

Complications

• Poor intake
• Esophagitis
• Systemic infection in severe immune compromise
• Skin breakdown

NCLEX cues

• White patches that may bleed when scraped.
• Recent antibiotics or inhaled steroid use.
• Immunosuppression makes infection priority.

Memory hooks

• Thrush follows disrupted flora or weak defenses.

Labs / Diagnostics

• Clinical exam
• Culture or KOH testing when ordered
• Glucose review if recurrent

Review notes

• Supplemental wife-requested study card. Use for NCLEX review only and verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy.