The extended, severe exposure of the walls of the blood vessels to the exaggerated pressure that occur in malignant hypertension cause injuries to the walls of the arterioles. Blood vessels in the renal system are particularly vulnerable to this type of damage. Because hypertension is a chronic disease and is associated with autoregulatory changes in the blood flow to major organs, what could be the initial treatment goal for malignant hypertension?

A. partial reduction in blood pressure to less critical values

B. reduction to normotensive levels of blood pressure

C. rapid decrease in blood pressure to less critical values

D. slow, gradual decrease in blood pressure to normotensive blood pressures