Which condition is characterized by a blood pH below 7.35?

The condition characterized by a blood pH below 7.35 is metabolic acidosis. This occurs when the body produces excess acid or when the kidneys are not removing enough acid from the body. It can be caused by various factors, such as kidney disease, uncontrolled diabetes resulting in ketoacidosis, or severe diarrhea. In metabolic acidosis, there is an accumulation of hydrogen ions in the blood, leading to a decrease in pH, indicating a more acidic environment.

Understanding the context of other conditions helps clarify why metabolic acidosis is the correct answer. Metabolic alkalosis, for instance, is characterized by a higher pH, typically above 7.45, due to a loss of acids or an accumulation of bicarbonate. Cirrhosis, while it can affect acid-base balance, does not specifically indicate a low pH; it often leads to various metabolic disturbances but is not defined by it. A healthy metabolism would generally maintain a normal blood pH range of 7.35 to 7.45. Therefore, metabolic acidosis is clearly defined by the critical threshold of a pH below 7.35.