A 62-year-old woman sees the APRN for evaluation of hypertension. According to JNC 8 guidelines for hypertension, what is the threshold for treating hypertension?

Choice A reason: 120/80 mmHg is considered normal blood pressure. It is not a treatment threshold under JNC 8 guidelines and does not warrant pharmacologic intervention unless other risk factors are present. Choice B reason: 130/80 mmHg is the threshold used in more recent guidelines such as ACC/AHA 2017, but JNC 8 recommends a higher threshold for older adults. For individuals over 60 years old, the treatment threshold is 150/90 mmHg. Choice C reason: 140/90 mmHg is the treatment threshold for adults younger than 60 years or those with diabetes or chronic kidney disease. For patients over 60 without these conditions, JNC 8 recommends initiating treatment at 150/90 mmHg. Choice D reason: According to JNC 8, for adults aged 60 years or older without diabetes or chronic kidney disease, pharmacologic treatment should be initiated when systolic blood pressure is ≥150 mmHg or diastolic is ≥90 mmHg. This recommendation is based on evidence showing reduced stroke and cardiovascular events at this threshold.