Which of the following is NOT an initial treatment for improving blood pressure in hypotensive patients?

In hypotensive patients, the goal is to restore adequate blood pressure and perfusion to vital organs. The initial treatments typically include intravenous fluids to increase blood volume, vasopressors to constrict blood vessels and raise blood pressure, and sometimes advanced interventions like an intra-aortic balloon pump, especially in cases of cardiogenic shock.

Beta-blockers, however, are generally not used as an initial treatment for hypotension. They primarily lower blood pressure by reducing heart rate and contractility, effectively making them counterproductive in a situation where the goal is to improve or stabilize blood pressure. Instead of helping to achieve the desired hemodynamic stability, beta-blockers could exacerbate hypotension by further decreasing cardiac output. Therefore, their use is more appropriate in certain situations like managing chronic hypertension or specific cardiac conditions, rather than as a frontline treatment for acute hypotension.