Look at your patient as a whole to decide how sick he/she is:

• Is the patient well/ill?
• Are they comfortable/in pain?
• Are they short of breath?
• Are they warm and well perfused?
• Are they hot and feverish?

Assess the degree of hydration from skin turgor and mucous membranes.

Further checks include:

• Check peripheral perfusion (is he cold to touch?)
• Check for cyanosis (central and peripheral)
• Check for jaundice