Which of the following describes the patient's right to access their medical records?

The statement that the patient may request access but can be denied under certain circumstances accurately reflects the legal and practical framework surrounding patient access to medical records. Under laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, patients indeed have the right to access their medical records. However, this access is not absolute and can be denied in specific situations. For example, access might be denied if the records contain information that could pose a risk to the patient or if the information involves sensitive details about another individual.

This framework ensures that while patients have rights to their information, there are safeguards in place to protect privacy and confidentiality in certain contexts. The other options do not accurately capture the nuances of this right; they either suggest unlimited access or impose restrictions that are not supported by healthcare regulations. Thus, option B reflects the balanced approach of allowing access while acknowledging certain exceptions that may apply.