Final answer:
A deficit of bicarbonate (HCO3-) leads to a condition known as A) metabolic acidosis, characterized by an acidic blood pH due to insufficient bicarbonate.
Step-by-step explanation:
A condition that results from a deficit of HCO3- (bicarbonate) is known as metabolic acidosis. This occurs when the blood is too acidic due to too little bicarbonate, a situation referred to as primary bicarbonate deficiency. Common causes of metabolic acidosis include the presence of organic acids or excessive ketones in the blood. In the context of diagnostics, blood pH, CO2 partial pressure (pCO2), and total HCO3- values are assessed to determine the type of acid-base imbalance, along with whether or not there is evidence of compensatory mechanisms functioning in response to the imbalance.