I have some problems with knitting?

I am learning to knit and have a book that is quite useful although sometimes it doesn't explain things very well. For example: what does 'multiple of 18 sts plus 10' mean? Also it says rs knit. I know that rs means right side but what does that mean? does it mean to have the wool on my right? This is the four stitch check: Rows 1,2,3 and 4 *k4,p4 repeat from* to end. Does that mean: k4,p4,k4,p4 until i decide to finish. Also how do i pick up a dropped stitch? Is there a way of doing it without using a crochet hook? please explain in detail as i have looked it up on the internet and i don't understand what they are going on about! Many thanks!!