Under 42 CFR Part 2, when may disclosures be allowed without patient consent?

• A. Redisclosures are unrestricted
• B. Disclosures are never allowed
• C. Disclosures require consent except in emergencies
• D. Disclosures may be allowed without consent in emergencies

Answer: (D)

The situation tested is the emergency exception in 42 CFR Part 2. The law protects confidentiality closely, but it allows a disclosure without the patient’s consent when there is an emergency and the purpose is to prevent harm or to ensure timely treatment. This narrow exception is designed to help protect health and safety without undermining confidentiality.

That’s why the correct choice is that disclosures may be allowed without consent in emergencies. Redisclosures are not unrestricted—there are limits on who can receive information and how it can be used. And the idea that disclosures are never allowed ignores the specific emergency carve-out that Part 2 provides to address urgent medical needs or safety concerns.