Final answer:
To monitor the effectiveness of bronchodilator therapy in an asthmatic patient, serial peak flow measurement with a spirometer is the most appropriate parameter, allowing assessment of airway obstruction improvement and lung function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most appropriate parameter to monitor the effectiveness of bronchodilator therapy in a patient with asthma is serial peak flow measurement. This involves using a spirometer to measure how quickly air can be expelled from the lungs, which is essential in assessing bronchial obstruction and the response to treatment. Asthmatic patients may experience airway constriction, and therefore, assessing lung function before and after bronchodilator administration can determine the improvement in air flow and the patient's response to the medication.
A spirometer can also help in diagnosing various respiratory diseases by measuring different lung volumes and capacities. The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in relation to the forced vital capacity (FVC) indicates how much air a person can forcibly breathe out in one second and is particularly useful in diagnosing obstructive and restrictive lung diseases.