The client at risk for a role change is the one with progressive difficulty ambulating due to multiple sclerosis, as this represents an involuntary lifestyle change brought on by health circumstances.
The nurse should identify that the client who is experiencing progressive difficulty ambulating due to multiple sclerosis is at risk for experiencing a role change. This is an example of a life-style change brought on by circumstance rather than choice, typical of chronic illnesses, where an individual's functional abilities are altered, potentially leading to significant changes in day-to-day life and the roles they fulfill. Unlike the client changing their diet or moving to a new city for retirement, which are choices that might not necessarily cause a substantial shift in one's role, or the client starting a new job, which is a predictable life transition, the progressive difficulty in movement can cause unpredictable and involuntary alterations in many aspects of life, including personal care, employment, and social participation.