Question: Pulmonary edema can be a very dangerous situation. By which mechanism does pulmonary edema compromise ventilation? Question options: Pulmonary edema inhibits the enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA) and therefore prevents CO2 from being transported as bicarbonate ions to the lungs for excretion. Pulmonary edema decreases the plasma solubility of O2 and prevents the delivery of O2 to the tissues. Pulmonary edema decreases lung compliance and makes it more difficult to expand lungs and breathe air in. Pulmonary edema compromises diffusion of gases between the alveoli and the blood and therefore reduces arterial PO2 and increases arterial PCO2. Pulmonary edema decreases blood flow to functioning alveoli, which leads to a ventilation-perfusion mismatch.