What can officials of an institution do regarding the IRB's approval?

The correct answer highlights the power that institutional officials have in relation to the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Specifically, those officials can choose to overrule an IRB's decision to approve a study. This capability is vital because it allows institutions to maintain oversight over research conducted under their auspices, ensuring that it aligns with institutional policies and ethical standards.

In situations where an IRB has approved a study that institutional officials deem not to meet the institution’s standards or risk policies, these officials may decide to intervene. However, it's important to recognize that this approach is generally exercised with caution due to the ethical implications of research oversight and the need to protect research participants.

The other options do not accurately reflect the authority of institutional officials. For instance, officials cannot approve studies without review, as that responsibility lies with the IRB to ensure ethical standards and participant protections are met. Similarly, officials do not have the ability to automatically exempt certain studies, as exemptions typically require a formal determination based on specific criteria set out by federal guidelines. Finally, while officials may require additional data from researchers, this action does not directly connect to the approval process of the IRB itself—it pertains more to the institution’s administrative processes rather than the IRB’s core responsibilities.