A biological fluid collection device having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining a tube body, the biological fluid collection device further comprising: a sample collection portion having a cavity defined by a portion of the sidewall adjacent the first end, the cavity having a sample collection bottom surface and the sample collection portion having an external diameter; and a puncturing element adjacent the second end, the puncturing element adapted for movement between a pre-actuated position, wherein the puncturing element is retained within the biological fluid collection device, and a puncturing position, wherein at least a portion of the puncturing element extends through the second end of the tube body; a lancet structure and a lancet shield, wherein the lancet structure comprises the puncturing element, wherein the lancet shield has a shield body, and wherein the lancet structure is adapted for longitudinal movement through an internal cavity of the shield body between the pre-actuated position in which a puncturing end of the lancet structure is maintained within the shield body and the puncturing position in which the puncturing end extends beyond a forward opening of the shield body; a drive spring, wherein the drive spring is adapted to exert a biasing force against the lancet structure to drive the lancet structure toward the puncturing position; a retraction spring at a forward end of the lancet structure, wherein the retraction spring is configured to retract the lancet structure within the shield body after the lancet structure is axially moved to the puncturing position; wherein a portion of the sidewall surrounds the puncturing element in the puncturing position, and wherein the portion of the sidewall surrounding the puncturing element has an external diameter that is the same as the external diameter of the sample collection portion, wherein the lancet shield comprises an enlarged portion at the forward end of the lancet shield for limiting proximal movement of the lancet shield with respect to the tube body. a sample collection portion having a cavity defined by a portion of the sidewall adjacent the first end, the cavity having a sample collection bottom surface and the sample collection portion having an external diameter; and a puncturing element adjacent the second end, the puncturing element adapted for movement between a pre-actuated position, wherein the puncturing element is retained within the biological fluid collection device, and a puncturing position, wherein at least a portion of the puncturing element extends through the second end of the tube body; a lancet structure and a lancet shield, wherein the lancet structure comprises the puncturing element, wherein the lancet shield has a shield body, and wherein the lancet structure is adapted for longitudinal movement through an internal cavity of the shield body between the pre-actuated position in which a puncturing end of the lancet structure is maintained within the shield body and the puncturing position in which the puncturing end extends beyond a forward opening of the shield body; a drive spring, wherein the drive spring is adapted to exert a biasing force against the lancet structure to drive the lancet structure toward the puncturing position; a retraction spring at a forward end of the lancet structure, wherein the retraction spring is configured to retract the lancet structure within the shield body after the lancet structure is axially moved to the puncturing position; wherein a portion of the sidewall surrounds the puncturing element in the puncturing position, and wherein the portion of the sidewall surrounding the puncturing element has an external diameter that is the same as the external diameter of the sample collection portion, wherein the lancet shield comprises an enlarged portion at the forward end of the lancet shield for limiting proximal movement of the lancet shield with respect to the tube body.