Enhanced levels of N2O and CO were measured in troposheric air samples exposed to a 17.5¿103 joule laboratory discharge. These enhanced levels correspond to an N0 production rate of about 4¿10 molecules joule-1 and a CO production rate of about 1¿1014 molecules joule-1. The CO measurements suggest that the primary region of chemical production in the discharge is the shocked air surrounding the lightning channel, as opposed to the slower-cooling inner core. Additional experiments in a simulated Venus atmosphere (CO2-95%,N2-5%, at one atmosphere) indicate an enhancement of CO from less than 0.1 ppm prior to the laboratory discharge. Comparison with theoretical calculations appears to confirm the ability of a shock wave/thermochemical model to predict the rate of production of trace species by an electrical discharge.