When served with a court order directing the release of health records, an individual:

The correct response indicates that when an individual is served with a court order for the release of health records, compliance is mandatory. Court orders are legally binding documents that compel an individual or organization to take a specific action. In the context of healthcare and patient information, this means that if a court has ordered the release of health records, the individual must fulfill that request in compliance with the law.

Failing to comply with a court order can result in legal consequences, including penalties or contempt of court. Moreover, healthcare professionals and organizations have legal and ethical obligations to adhere to such orders, given that they exist to uphold the law. There are specific legal frameworks, including HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), that allow for exceptions when a court order is presented, thus making it clear that compliance is the only proper course of action.

Other options reflect misunderstandings of legal obligations in the face of a court order. Ignoring the order or determining whether to comply suggests that an individual has discretion in the matter, which is not the case when faced with a valid court order. Additionally, requesting patient authorization before disclosing the records is irrelevant in situations where a court has distinctly directed the release of those records.