 Use of antibiotics

 Immunosuppressive Condition (Diabetes Mellitus or HIV)

Candida overgrowth  Immunosuppressive Medical Treatment (Steroids or Radiotheraphy)
 Imbalanced pH levels

 Medical history
Vaginal Candidiasis  Pelvic exam
 Skin culture
 Tissue biopsy

Candida destroys the Aggregation of the Cottage

stratified squamous White
destroyed cells cheese-like
epithelium layer of lesions form
and protein discharge
the skin. 1. Antifungal
Treatment
 -azole medications

Painful such as Miconazole

Vaginal itching  Impaired urinary
Candida causes intercourse  Amphotericin
elimination pattern
increased blood Soreness & 2. Probiotics
Burning urination  Urinary retention
flow to the area. Redness
 Sexual Dysfunction
3. Sitz bath

LEGEND

INFECTION SIGNS & SYMPTOMS  Vaginal itching

 Abdominal cramps
PREDISPOSING FACTORS MEDICATION/TREATMENT  Headache
SIDE EFFECTS  Diarrhea
PRECIPITATING FACTORS
 Bloating
MECHANISM NURSING DIAGNOSIS  Rashes
 Bacterial overgrowth
DIAGNOSTIC TEST
 Dizziness
 The Candida species of fungi are typically residing in the vagina without negative effects. However,
due to several predisposing factors such as 1.) Use of antibiotics 2.) Immunosuppressive
Condition (Diabetes Mellitus or HIV) 3.) Immunosuppressive Medical Treatment (Steroids or
Radiotheraphy) and 4.) Imbalanced pH levels, an overgrowth of Candida might occur. The Candida
species is considered as an “opportunistic” microbe which means that when the amount of Candida is
low, it’s harmless. But when the amount of Candida increases, they might cause tissue damage,
destruction, or infection.
With an abundance of Candida in the vagina, Vaginal Candidiasis occurs. Candida then starts
destroying the superficial layer of the skin which is filled with stratified squamous epithelium tissues. The
destroyed cells accumulate and forms a white lesion which then gets secreted along with normal vaginal
discharge. On the other hand, Candida also causes increased blood flow to the affected area which is
why there’s redness and soreness in the area. The symptoms get aggravated by activities such as
intercourse and urination. From the symptoms, nursing diagnosis can be formulated which includes
Impaired urinary elimination pattern due to the burning sensation when urinating—which could lead
to Urinary retention—and lastly, Sexual dysfunction due to the pain from intercourse.
Vaginal Candidiasis can be diagnosed through a thorough medical history which includes sexual
history or history of yeast infections. It can also be examined through pelvic examination wherein
the doctor will look for signs of infection. Ultimately, to confirm the diagnosis, the next step is to collect
samples from the skin or tissue to undergo lab tests.
The treatment for Vaginal Candidiasis includes Antifungal treatments such as Miconazole,
Probiotics to increase the number of bacteria that inhibit the growth of Candida, and Sitz bath to
alleviate the symptoms of Candidiasis. Side effects of the treatments are vaginal itching, abdominal
cramps, headache, diarrhea, bloating, rashes, bacterial overgrowth, and dizziness.