You Are Treating a 27-Year-Old Male Patient for Recent Onset

You are treating a 27-year-old male patient for recent onset of hypertension. The patient reports that he has not consumed any alcohol nor does he use any medications or illegal drugs. Analysis of serum electrolytes indicates a reduced level of potassium. You suspect the patient is experiencing a disruption in the normal responses to vascular volume. A blood test to assay for an increase in which of the following hormones would be useful in the diagnosis of the cause of the hypertension in this patient?

A) atrial natriuretic peptide
B) oxytocin
C) parathyroid hormone
D) renin
E) thyroid-stimulating hormone