Healthcare Law and Ethics Practice Exam

The appropriate authority for the release of information in a healthcare context can indeed be granted by the executor of an estate. An executor is a person appointed by the court to administer the estate of a deceased individual, which includes managing and distributing the deceased's assets according to the terms of their will or, in the absence of a will, according to state law. This role often entails handling the deceased's medical records and other sensitive information, thus giving them the legal authority to authorize the release of such information.

The other options do not generally possess the same level of authority. Immediate family members, while they may be in a position to request information regarding a living individual, do not automatically have the right to access protected health information without explicit consent from the patient or a legal directive. Medical assistants, although they play a significant role in a healthcare setting, do not have the legal authority to release medical information unless they have received specific permission to do so from an authorized individual. A court-appointed guardian does have the legal authority to make decisions for a patient who is unable to do so for themselves, but this typically applies to cases involving minors or individuals who lack capacity due to mental or physical conditions, rather than managing the release of information pertaining to a deceased person's estate.