A 45-year-old patient presents to the clinic with persistent nasal congestion that has worsened despite frequent use of an over-the-counter nasal decongestant for the past three weeks. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing intervention?

A. Advise the patient to continue using the nasal decongestant but reduce the frequency to once daily: Continued use, even at a reduced frequency, may not resolve the underlying issue. Prolonged use of topical nasal decongestants can lead to rebound congestion (rhinitis medicamentosa), which won't improve without discontinuation.
B. Suggest increasing the dosage of the current nasal decongestant to manage congestion: Increasing the dosage worsens rebound congestion and the dependence cycle. Higher doses can also raise the risk of systemic side effects such as elevated blood pressure or tachycardia.
C. Educate the patient on discontinuing the nasal decongestant and recommend a saline nasal spray for symptom relief: This is the most appropriate intervention. Rebound congestion is best managed by stopping the decongestant. Saline sprays help moisturize nasal passages and reduce symptoms safely during withdrawal.
D. Prescribe a stronger nasal decongestant to alleviate symptoms more effectively: A stronger formulation would likely exacerbate the problem. The key to managing rhinitis medicamentosa is breaking the cycle of decongestant overuse, not intensifying it.