What is the correct response if a mother requests her 17-year-old married son's medical records?

The correct response is based on understanding the nuances of privacy laws and the status of minors, especially when it comes to medical records. When a 17-year-old is married, he is considered an emancipated minor. This means he has the legal rights and responsibilities of an adult, which includes making his own medical decisions and managing access to his medical records.

Thus, the appropriate response is to ensure that the son provides a signed authorization for his mother to access his medical records. This respects both his status as an emancipated minor and his autonomy over his personal health information. The legal framework surrounding medical records emphasizes the importance of consent, particularly as it pertains to individuals capable of making their own health care decisions.

In this situation, simply denying the request due to the son being "still a minor" misinterprets the implications of emancipation. Having the wife sign the authorization may not be necessary unless the policy explicitly requires it, but in this case, the son himself must provide permission since he can do so independently. While the mother may be considered next-of-kin, this classification loses significance in scenarios where the individual involved can legally handle their own medical information.