Is knitted cast on considered the first row. The pattern reads: Row 1 (RS) *P1, k4, repeat from * to last st, P1. Thanks
Nope, cast on is not considered the first row. 
The knitted CO is a way to get your yarn on the needle by knitting into a stitch but putting the new st on the L needle instead of the R needle. No cast on is ever counted as a row; after you cast on then you work the first row of the pattern.