What is the purpose of passing a 14G sheathed needle during PEG placement?

The purpose of passing a 14G sheathed needle during percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement is to facilitate the introduction of a guidewire into the gastric lumen. This step is crucial in the PEG procedure because it allows the endoscopist to create a tract from the skin to the stomach, enabling subsequent placement of the PEG tube itself.

After the needle is advanced through the abdominal wall and into the stomach, the guidewire can be passed through the needle into the gastric lumen. This guidewire serves as a template for placing the PEG tube, ensuring proper alignment and positioning as it is advanced into the stomach. The precision of this step is critical for the successful and safe placement of the PEG tube, ultimately ensuring that nutrition can be administered effectively through this access point.

The other choices highlight actions that do not accurately describe the main function of the 14G sheathed needle during this particular phase of the procedure. Injecting medication, creating a gastric wall incision, or securing the PEG tube involve different steps or instruments that are not directly associated with the primary role of the needle in this context.