What additional information is most important to obtain from a client with no prenatal care in labor?

Obtaining the date of the last normal menstrual period (LMP) is crucial for several reasons in the context of a client with no prenatal care who is in labor. The LMP helps to estimate the gestational age of the pregnancy, which is essential for assessing the growth and development of the fetus. This information is vital for determining the due date, evaluating if the pregnancy is term or preterm, and managing potential complications during delivery.

In the absence of prenatal care, knowing the gestational age becomes even more important as it informs the healthcare team about what to expect during labor and delivery, including the need for specific interventions based on the maturity of the fetus. Understanding the gestational timeline allows for better planning regarding neonatal care immediately after birth as well.

While gravidity and parity could provide some useful background about the client's obstetric history, it won’t provide a concrete understanding of the current gestational age. Additionally, the time and amount of the last oral intake is relevant for planning anesthesia or interventions but does not inform about the pregnancy's stage. The frequency and intensity of contractions are important for assessing labor progress but may not provide as comprehensive an overview of the situation as determining gestational age through the LMP would.