Which of the following conditions would likely result in a low pH in arterial blood?

A low pH in arterial blood indicates acidosis, which is a condition where there is an excess of hydrogen ions in the blood, leading to an increase in acidity. Respiratory acidosis occurs when the lungs cannot remove enough carbon dioxide (CO2) from the body. This buildup of CO2 results in an increase in carbonic acid in the blood, consequently lowering the pH.

In respiratory acidosis, conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), severe asthma, or conditions leading to inadequate ventilation can contribute to this buildup of CO2. As the CO2 levels rise, so do the hydrogen ions, resulting in a decrease in pH.

Understanding the physiological processes involved in the acid-base balance is crucial for recognizing how various factors can lead to changes in pH. While the other conditions listed—metabolic alkalosis, respiratory alkalosis, and metabolic acidosis—affect pH and acid-base balance, they do so in different ways that would not result in a low pH in arterial blood.