Final answer:
Of the provided values, pH less than 7.3 is consistent with acute respiratory failure, indicating a state of respiratory acidosis due to inadequate ventilation and CO2 elimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The value consistent with acute respiratory failure is pH less than 7.3. This indicates an acidemia, which in the context of respiratory function can be a result of respiratory acidosis, a condition where there is an accumulation of CO2 due to inadequate ventilation. In an acute respiratory failure, this results in the decrease of blood pH below the normal range, which is 7.35-7.45 as seen in arterial blood reference values.
Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is an impairment in the elimination of CO2 from the body through the respiratory system, leading to increased levels of carbonic acid in the blood. In asthma, a condition exemplified by reduced airway diameter due to inflammation and constriction, the patient's ability to exhale CO2 is compromised, thus contributing to respiratory acidosis. A compensatory response by the body for chronic respiratory acidosis is an increased level of bicarbonate; however, in acute conditions, the compensation may not be fully established.